- 

•— • •*/•*-»-  ^•*~.<3l/v»K  . 
~t.fr 


THE     SPELL 


OF 


ASHTAKOTH 


BY 

DUFFIELD   OSBORNE 


NEW    YORK 

CHARLES    SCRIBNER'S    SONS 
1888 

[Att  rights  resened] 


COPYRIGHT,  1888,  BT 
CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S  SONS 


Press  of  J.  J.  Little  &  Co., 
Astor  Place,  New  York. 


TO 

MY    FRIEND, 
BRITON   HAVELOCK    RICHARDSON. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGE 

THE  STANDAED  OF  THE  LION 1 

CHAPTER  II. 
THE  SEVENTH  DAY 17 

CHAPTER  IIL 
FIEE  AND  SWORD 37 

CHAPTER  IV. 
THE  ABODE  OF  ASHTAEOTH 49 

CHAPTER  V. 
THE  ROSE  OF  JEEICHO 60 

CHAPTER  VI. 
AMONG  THE  FLAMES 69 

CHAPTER  VII. 
THE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH 84 


viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

PAGE 

THE  COUNCIL 95 

CHAPTER  IX. 
THE  SECOND  NIGHT 103 

CHAPTER  X. 
THE  SUMMONS  TO  BATTLE Ill 

CHAPTER  XL 
UNDER  THE  SPELL 121 

CHAPTER  XII. 
EVIL  TIDINGS 134 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
THE  ANSWER 144 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH 152 

CHAPTER  XV. 
THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE..  ,  170 


CONTENTS.  ix 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

PAGE 

THE  DRAWING  OF  THE  LOT 185 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
UNDER  GUARD 202 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
THE  VALLEY  OF  ACHOR  . .  .  220 


THE 


SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE    STANDARD    OF    THE    LION. 

IGHT  had  closed  in  over  the  camp 
of  Israel.  The  sun  had  sunk  to 
rest  behind  the  mountain  chain  that 
lay  to  the  west ;  and  the  moon,  a  thin  sil- 
ver crescent  emblematic  of  the  promised 
increase  of  the  people  of  God,  had  risen  lan- 
guidly from  behind  the  hilly  ramparts  of 
Abarim  and  begun  her  journey  through  the 
starry  hordes  that  flashed  and  flickered  in  the 
cloudless  heaven. 

An  endless  waste  of  dark  tents,  hundreds 
upon   hundreds,  thousands  upon  thousands, 


2  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

bewildered  the  eye  as  they  lay  spread  from 
far  down  the  eastern  plain  almost  to  the 
fringes  of  the  palms,  from  the  midst  of  whose 
leafy  embrace  rose  the  long  sweep  of  em- 
battled walls  and  the  massive  towers  looming 
heavenward  until  their  watch-fires  seemed  to 
mingle  with  the  constellations  of  the  western 
horizon. 

For  ten  days  had  that  camp  been  set  before 
the  City  of  Palms.  Six  times  had  the  chosen 
warriors  marched  grimly  around  the  frowning 
buttresses.  Six  times  had  the  Kohathites 
borne  the  Ark  of  God  behind  the  men  of 
war,  while  the  seven  rams'-horns,  the  horns  of 
jubilee,  had  flung  out  their  blasts  of  defiant 
triumph,  and  the  people  had  gazed  and  won- 
dered ;  for  had  not  the  Lord  commanded, 
"  Ye  shall  not  shout  nor  make  any  noise  until 
the  day  I  bid  ye  shout "  ? 

And  now  Israel  rested  in  their  tents  and 
waited  eagerly  for  the  morrow,  when  their 
God  should  deliver  the  city  into  their  hands 
according  as  He  had  declared. 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  3 

At  the  extreme  eastward  of  the  long  stretch 
of  rising  ground  on  which  the  camp  lay,  and 
near  to  one  of  the  openings  which  seemed  as 
gates  in  the  earthen  rampart,  the  sole  defen- 
sive work,  a  large  standard  swung  from  a 
heavy  pole  deep  sunken  in  the  ground.  Now 
it  hung  listlessly  in  the  stilJ  night  air,  and 
now  lazily  unwrapped  its  folds  as  some  tran- 
sient breeze  stooped  from  the  mountains  to 
caress  it.  In  the  clear  night  of  Palestine  it 
seemed  of  several  colors,  rich  with  embroid- 
eries, and  bearing  in  its  midst  the  figure  of  a 
lion,  the  well-known  cognizance  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah.  Keen  eyes,  too,  as  the  banner  from 
time  to  time  floated  out  to  its  full  length, 
might  have  deciphered  the  motto,  "Who 
shall  rouse  him  up  ?  "  with  its  calm  assurance 
of  power. 

Leaning  against  the  staff  was  the  figure  of 
a  man.  He  seemed  at  least  fifty  years  of  age. 
His  head  was  bare,  and  his  hair  and  beard 
flowed  down  over  a  mantle  of  some  dark  stuff 
entirely  devoid  of  ornament.  His  tunic  of 


4  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

coarse  linen,  reaching  to  the  knee,  half  indi- 
cated, half  exposed  a  figure  tall,  gaunt,  and 
sinewy.  A  long  heavy  spear  was  thrust  into 
the  earth  near  him,  and  on  it  hung  a  shield  of 
oblong  shape  but  broader  and  rounder  at  the 
top.  Its  outer  surface,  the  untanned  hide  of 
a  bullock,  was  fastened  down  over  a  wooden 
frame  strengthened  at  the  top  by  a  rim  of 
bronze.  The  hilt  of  a  sword  girt  to  his  left 
side  peeped  from  under  the  robe  which  was 
thrown  backward  over  his  shoulders.  He 
seemed  a  hardy  veteran  of  the  desert,  scarred 
by  the  sword  of  Midian  and  toughened  by 
march  and  countermarch  in  the  trackless 
wilderness — a  fitting  type  of  the  adventurous 
race  that  slumbered  around  him. 

His  comrade  was  strikingly  his  opposite — 
a  young  man,  scarcely  over  twenty,  beardless, 
and  with  a  face  at  once  beautiful,  haughty, 
and  high-spirited.  The  eyes  were  large,  dark, 
and  keen ;  the  black  hair,  flowing  from  un- 
der a  brass  helmet  of  Moabitish  pattern,  fell 
in  heavy  curls  over  his  shoulders ;  the  nose 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  5 

clean  cut,  broad  at  the  nostrils,  and  slightly 
aquiline ;  the  mouth  firm  and  determined,  and 
the  chin  delicately  rounded,  perhaps  too  much 
so  to  be  in  thorough  keeping  with  what  was 
otherwise  a  strong  face.  His  figure,  tall, 
straight,  and  muscular,  though  slender  and 
graceful,  was  clothed  in  the  usual  tunic  reach- 
ing to  the  knees,  which  in  this  instance  was 
made  of  the  finest  white  linen,  elaborately 
embroidered  and  fringed.  Over  it  was  a 
corselet  of  leather  strengthened  with  bands  of 
copper  riveted  together,  encircling  the  body 
from  the  waist  to  the  arm-pits,  and  joined  by 
pieces  of  similar  metal  passing  over  both 
shoulders.  A  rich  mantle,  also  heavily  em- 
broidered and  fringed,  was  lying  at  his  feet, 
and  his  shield  on  the  ground  beside  him  was 
similar  in  shape  to  that  of  his  companion, 
but  the  leather  had  been  carefully  tanned 
and  polished  till  it  shone  almost  like  metal. 
A  long  spear  pointed  with  the  rough  horn 
of  an  oryx  was  in  his  hand,  and  the  ordi- 
nary short  two-edged  sword  of  the  Jewish 


6  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

soldier  hung  iu  a  leathern  scabbard  at  his 
side. 

He  stood  with  his  figure  drawn  up  erect 
and  soldierly,  in  marked  contrast  to  the  easy, 
lounging  posture  of  him  who  joined  him  in 
keeping  guard  over  the  gate  and  standard. 

The  older  warrior  eyed  his  companion  for 
a  time,  half  in  admiration  and  half  with  an 
air  of  superior  age  and  experience.  Finally 
he  broke  the  silence : 

"  Boy  !  I  would  advise  thee  to  loosen  that 
corselet  of  thine,  and,  if  thou  wilt  not  rest 
with  me,  yet  stand  not  so  rigid  ;  for,  if  the  ru- 
mors speak  truth,  to-morrow  will  need  all  the 
strength  and  agility  thou  canst  collect,  and 
it  were  not  meet  for  thee  to  weary  thyself 
with  needless  toil.  Thinkest  thou  the  hea- 
then meditate  a  night  attack  ?  If  the  eyes 
of  Ozias  be  true,  no  war  will  come  from  Jeri- 
cho to  Israel.  Didst  thou  not  note  how  that 
when  six  days  ago  we  compassed  their  walls, 
they  laughed  and  jeered  at  us ;  and  how  that 
three  days  ago  they  cursed  and  shouted  ? 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  7 

But  to-day  a  great  hush  fell  upon  them,  and 
I  could  well-nigh  mark  the  spear  tips  trem- 
ble on  their  towers.  The  Lord  has  smitten 
their  hearts  with  terror,  and  thou  shouldst 
keep  thee  fresh  for  the  work  of  the  morrow." 

"  Nay  now,  Ozias,"  answered  the  youth ; 
"  it  were  not  well  for  me  to  recline  or  to  lay 
aside  my  arms  when  the  Captain  bade  me 
keep  watch  with  thee  over  the  degal" 

"As  thou'  wishest,  O  Adriel,"  replied 
Ozias,  testily ;  for  there  was  implied  reproach 
in  the  words  of  his  companion ;  "  but  when 
thou  hast  watched  and  fought  for  over  thirty 
years  thou  wilt  look  less  to  the  manner  of 
thy  service  so  thou  servest  well  and  faith- 
fully." Adriel  made  no  answer,  but  gazed 
out  over  the  plain,  dotted  here  and  there 
with  clumps  of  acacias  and  stretching  down 
to  the  Jordan. 

At  last  he  turned  to  Ozias,  and,  in  a  voice 
half  petulant  and  half  evincing  a  desire  to 
mollify  the  veteran  by  an  appeal  to  his  mili- 
tary opinion,  asked : 


8  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  What  thinkest  thou  of  the  progress  of  the 
siege  ? " 

"  Wherefore  askest  thou  ? "  said  Ozias ; 
"wouldst  thou  improve  on  the  plans  of 
Joshua  the  son  of  Nun  ?  " 

"  That  I  would  ! "  answered  Adriel,  stung 
by  the  ironical  tone  of  the  other.  "W^hat 
honor  is  there  in  Israel  marching  endlessly 
before  these  walls  with  trumpets,  and  priests, 
and  the  Ark  ?  Pity  that  the  Captain  did  not 
add  dancing-girls  to  the  train,  such  as  I  have 
heard  they  have  in  Egypt.  Is  it  to  make  us 
a  laughing-stock  and  a  reproach  to  the  peo- 
ple of  the  land  ?  Would  to  God  I  had  the 
command  even  for  one  day.  I  would  show 
Israel  different  work.  Had  we  mounted  up 
and  stormed  their  walls  when  we  first  came, 
not  a  man  had  dared  to  lift  sword  or  draw 
bow  against  us ;  and  if  he  had,  the  greater 
the  honor  to  Israel  and  its  God." 

Ozias  had  endeavored  to  interrupt  this  fiery 
outbreak,  and  now  he  spoke,  not  tauntingly 
as  before,  but  gravely  and  reproachfully. 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  9 

"Dost  thou  not  see,  ray  son,  that  it  is  not 
Joshua  whom  thou  conderanest,  but  God  ?  Is 
it  not  well  said  that  the  earthly  captain  of 
Israel  doth  but  obey  the  commands  of  the 
heavenly  ?  and  wherefore  shouldst  thou,  a 
boy  in  war,  cast  reproach  upon  the  Lord  of 
Hosts?" 

But  Adriel,  unabashed,  made  answer  boldly : 

"  Say  what  thou  wilt,  Ozias,  it  is  a  woman- 
ish way  of  making  war." 

Ozias  spoke  more  sternly. 

"  Have  a  care  how  others  hear  thee  speak 
as  thou  hast  to-night.  Thy  words  have  a 
dangerous  ring,  and  blasphemy  is  no  sportive 
charge.  Mark  how  thick  the  stones  lie  on 
the  plain,  and  be  cautious." 

Adriel  would  have  answered  again,  but  at 
that  moment  a  man,  clothed  only  in  a  tunic, 
was  seen  running  toward  them  from  the  di- 
rection of  the  centre  of  the  camp.  Both 
guards  turned,  and  the  youth's  fingers  tight- 
ened on  the  shaft  of  his  spear,  while  he  half 
stooped  to  pick  up  the  shield  which  lay  at 


10  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

his  feet.  But  the  runner,  not  noticing  the 
motion,  turned  to  the  older  man  and  said : 

"  The  peace  of  Grod  be  upon  thee !  Art 
thou  Ozias,  the  son  of  Zadok,  of  the  tribe  of 
Judah?" 

"  I  am  he." 

"  Then  listen  !  Joshua,  the  son  of  Nun, 
bids  thee  come  to  him  before  his  tent,  for 
he  would  speak  to  thee  of  the  morrow's 
work." 

Ozias  wrapped  his  mantle  around  him,  and, 
waving  his  hand  to  Adriel,  said :  "  Add  my 
spear  and  shield  to  thy  charge,  boy."  Then 
he  hurried  away  with  the  messenger  toward 
the  centre  of  the  camp. 

Adriel  stood  alone  and  gazed  now  at  the 
star-bespangled  firmament,  now  at  the  slen- 
der thread  of  the  river  that  wound  along  the 
eastern  border  of  the  plain.  His  mind  wan- 
dered slowly  from  his  heat  and  passion  of  a 
few  moments  ago,  and  from  the  rebuke  of 
Ozias,  to  the  stirring  rumors  with  which  the 
camp  was  rife,  rumors  of  victory  and  con- 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  11 

quest  which  the  next  day  was  to  convert  into 
realities.  The  spirit  of  youth  and  adventure 
rose  high  within  him,  and  as  he  had  chafed 
at  the  slow  methods  of  the  siege,  so  he  now 
rejoiced  at  the  prospect  of  action  and  prompt 
reward. 

As  he  stood  with  shadowy  thoughts  his 
sole  companions,  he  became  conscious  of  the 
approach  of  a  more  material  presence.  Ere 
he  could  turn,  a  soft  hand  was  laid  upon  his 
shoulder  and  a  soft  voice  uttered  his  name. 

"Adriel!" 

"  Miriam,  art  thou  here  ? " 

"  I  could  not  rest  in  the  tent,  Adriel,  for  I 
thought  of  thee  and  my  father  watching  by 
the  standard.  I  thought  of  the  rumors  that 
are  in  the  camp,  that  to-morrow  will  see 
great  deeds  and  mighty  conquests ;  and  thou, 
Adriel,  art  thou  to  be  of  those  who  will  take 
part  in  the  attack  ?  " 

"  I  trust  so,  Miriam,"  answered  the  young 
soldier,  looking  down  into  the  dark,  mourn- 
ful eyes  raised  beseechingly  to  his.  "  Thou 


12  THE  SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 

wouldst  not  have  me  linger  ill  the  camp  when 
the  Lord  is  leading  Israel  to  victory  ? " 

"Nay,  I  would  not  that — and  yet — and 
yet — some  of  the  people  will  fall,  and  thou 
art  rash  and  violent." 

Adriel  laughed. 

"  Why,  Miriam,"  he  said,  "  what  is  that  to 
thee  ?  But  two  days  since  when  I  asked  thee 
if  my  father  might  speak  with  thine  that  thou 
shouldst  be  betrothed  to  me,  thou  didst  only 
laugh  and  run  into  thy  tent.  But  to-morrow 
thou  shalt  see  me  mount  the  wall  first,  and  if 
it  please  the  Lord  to  guide  an  arrow  or  a 
stone  toward  his  servant,  thou  shalt  see  it 
well  received." 

"  Adriel !  "  replied  the  girl  reproachfully, 
"  thou  knowest  that  I  love  thee.  Whether  I 
loved  thee  two  days  ago  or  even  yesterday,  I 
know  not.  But  to-night ' 

She  was  looking  far  away  over  the  plain. 
His  manner  changed  from  light  banter  to 
seriousness  and  affection.  He  took  her  hand 
in  both  of  his  and  drew  her  toward  him. 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  13 

"  Miriam,  girl,"  he  said  tenderly, "  forgive  me 
for  trying  to  play  on  thy  fears.  Believe  me, 
there  will  be  little  danger  to-morrow.  Some 
say  that  the  city  will  be  delivered  into  our 
hands  without  a  blow.  What  are  the  men  of 
Canaan  that  they  should  stand  before  our 
God?  And  look !  Miriam,  I  am  well  defended. 
The  helmet  I  took  for  spoil  when  I  slew  the 
Moabite  in  my  first  combat,  and  the  corselet 
which  my  father's  grandfather  brought  with 
him  from  the  house  of  Memptah  the  Egyptian, 
are  a  better  fence  against  the  arrows  and 
spears  of  Jericho  than  most  of  our  people  are 
provided  with.  But  tell  me,  Miriam,  may 
word  go  to  thy  father  of  the  subject  which  is 
nearest  my  heart — nearer  than  Jericho  and 
the  spoil  of  the  heathen,  nearer  than  the 
land  of  promise,  yea,  nearer  even  than  the 
Tabernacle  of  God?" 

"Hush.  Adriel,"  interrupted  the  girl, 
"  Thou  must  not  speak  so,  though  doubtless 
it  be  pleasant  for  me  to  hear." 

He  had  drawn  her  still  closer  as  she  spoke. 


14  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

She  did  not  resist ;  but  when,  as  he  smoothed 
the  long  black  tresses  that  flowed  loosely 
over  her  shoulders,  he  bent  down  and  kissed 
her,  she  started,  as  though  roused  from  some 
dream,  and  withdrawing  herself  from  his 
arms,  put  up  one  finger  with  a  warning  ges- 
ture, in  which  feigned  indignation  and  sup- 
pressed mirth  struggled  for  the  mastery. 
He  stepped  toward  her  holding  out  his 
arms. 

"Then  the  word  may  be  spoken,  may  it 
not,  Miriam  ? " 

But  she  evaded  his  advance,  and  answered: 
"  I  must  first  learn  how  thou  behavest  to-mor- 
row. Surely  thou  wouldst  not  have  me  be- 
trothed to  a  rash  boy  who  might  leave  me  a 
widow  even  before  I  became  a  wife  ? "  and 
then,  suddenly  changing  her  tone :  "A  pretty 
guard  thou  for  the  standard  of  Judah  !  The 
Canaanites  might  have  carried  it  away  in  the 
last  half  hour  and  thou  never  have  been  the 
wiser,  except  they  tried  their  spears  on  that 
harness  of  which  thou  art  so  proud.  Is  it 


THE  STANDARD  OF  THE  LION.  15 

thus  every  passing  Jewish  girl  can  draw  thee 
from  thy  charge  ? " 

"  Nay,  now,  Miriam  !  Thou  knowest — " 
but  the  girl,  laughing  merrily  at  thus  hav- 
ing turned  the  tables  on  her  lover,  danced 
away,  only  saying,  as  he  seemed  to  hesitate 
between  following  her  and  remaining  in  his 
place : 

"  Verily,  I  believe  this  conscientious  soldier 
would  even  desert  his  post  in  all  his  glittering 
harness  could  he  catch  me ; "  and  then  more 
soberly,  as  she  disappeared  into  the  night : 

"  Remember !  I  shall  hear  of  thee  to-mor- 


row." 


She  was  gone,  and  Adriel  again  stood  alone. 

He  had  short  time  for  solitary  thought,  and 
perhaps  it  was  well  for  him  that  it  was  so  ;  for 
heart  and  brain  were  a  chaos  of  conflicting 
hopes  and  fears.  It  was  now  the  beginning  of 
the  middle  watch,  and  he  descried  approach- 
ing the  two  soldiers  who  should  relieve  him. 
A  hasty  salutation  passed  between  them,  and, 
catching  up  his  own  mantle  together  with 


16  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

the  spear  and  shield  of  Ozias,  he  hurried  off 
in  the  direction  taken  by  Miriam. 

Any  idea  which  he  might  have  entertained 
of  overtaking  the  light-footed  damsel  was 
illusory.  As  he  passed  by  the  tent  of  Ozias, 
he  lingered  to  thrust  his  spear  into  the  ground 
and  to  hang  the  shield  upon  it;  but  every- 
thing was  quiet  in  and  around  the  dark 
habitation,  and,  disappointed,  he  passed  on 
to  the  tent  of  his  father,  where  neither  the 
excitement  of  approaching  battle  nor  the  sus- 
pense of  what  he  foolishly  deemed  a  doubtful 
suit  could  overcome  youth  and  health  in 
their  peaceful  communion  with  the  drowsy 
god. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   SEVENTH   DAY. 

NE  by  one  the  watches  of  the  night 
had  glided  away  ;  but  before  a 
single  star  had  deserted  her  sisters 
in  their  calm  vigil,  all  was  astir  in  the  Jew- 
ish camp.  Above  the  lowing  of  cattle,  the 
bleat  of  flocks,  and  the  voices  of  men,  rose 
the  shrill  blasts  of  the  silver  trumpets  sum- 
moning the  warriors  to  don  their  arms  and 
join  their  standards. 

Adriel  had  arisen  at  the  first  summons,  and, 
as  he  sprang  from  the  skins  on  which  he 
slept,  a  boy  who  had  been  standing  at  the 
entrance  of  the  tent  stepped  toward  him. 
His  age  could  not  have  been  over  fourteen 
years,  and  he  seemed  to  regard  the  young 


18  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

soldier  with  a  curious  combination  of  envy, 
admiration,  and  devotion. 

"How  fares  it  with  thee  this  morning, 
Abiathar  ?  Is  thy  father  arming  ? "  asked 
Adriel. 

"  He  has  been  out  the  last  hour.  Thou 
knowest  that  Ozias  is  high  in  the  councils  of 
Joshua ;  and  now  I  have  come  to  help  thee 
put  on  thy  harness,  for  all  say  that  to-day  will 
see  the  city  in  our  hands." 

"  Even  so,  Abiathar.  Wilt  thou  cleanse 
that  spot  from  my  helmet  ?  Now  bring  me 
the  corselet.  So — lace  it  not  too  tight.  How 
is  it  with  thy  sister  Miriam  ? " 

"  She  is  well,  and  she  bade  me  tell  thee 
that  whilst  thou  didst  thy  duty  thou  shouldst 
yet  have  a  care,  nor  thrust  thyself  into  need- 
less danger.  Girls  know  nothing  of  war. 
They  tremble  when  they  hear  of  great  deeds. 
Didst  thou  mark  how  she  turned  pale  when 
two  days  ago  thou  toldest  how  thou  slewest 
the  Moabite  ?  And  yet  it  was  not  the  first 
time  she  had  heard  thee  tell  that  tale.  I 


THE  SEVENTH  DAT.  19 

would  I  might  have  held  the  sword  that 
thou  dravest  under  his  ribs  !  And  now  to- 
day, I  must  stay  in  the  camp  with  the  women 
and  old  men,  while  thou  fightest,  and  thou 
knowest,  Adriel,  I  can  sling  as  true  and  as 
far  as  Zithri  the  Benjaminite.  Ah!  well,  I 
shall  find  some  tall  palm  and  watch  the  battle 
from  its  branches,  and  tell  Miriam  what  thou 
art  doing.  I  will  tell  her  thou  art  fallen  and 
hear  her  cry  out " 

"If  thou  dost  I  will  chastise  thee  soundly 
when  the  day  is  over,"  interrupted  Adriel 
hotly. 

"  Truly  I  did  but  jest,  to  see  thee  flare  up," 
said  Abiathar  with  a  forced  laugh. 

"Nay,  but  it  were   like  thee  to  do  some 
such  thing — not  that  Miriam  would  care,  but 
—but — I  would  not " 

"  Would  not  what  ? "  asked  the  boy,  this 
time  with  unaffected  mirth.  "  Thou  knowest 
not,  but  I  know ;  it  is  vain  for  thee  to  feign 
that  thou  thinkest  Miriam  proof  against  the 
best  soldier  in  the  camp." 


20  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Adriel  looked  somewhat  confused.  Then, 
with  an  apparent  effort,  he  shook  the  thoughts 
from  his  mind  and  said  : 

"But  I  cannot  speak  with  thee  longer, 
Abiathar.  Look  thou  to  Miriam.  Hearest 
thou  the  trumpets  ?  The  people  must  be  well 
under  arms ; "  and,  seizing  spear  and  shield, 
he  hurried  out  and  joined  one  of  the  many 
groups  of  men  hastening  toward  the  western 
confines  of  the  camp.  The  broad  disk  of  the 
sun  was  only  half  displayed  on  the  mountains 
of  Abarim  when  they  passed  through  the 
western  gate  and  beyond  the  earthen  ram- 
parts. 

Here  the  scene  spread  out  before  their 
eyes  was  one  of  confusion,  but  the  signal 
blasts  of  the  trumpet  and  the  shouted  words 
of  command  were  fast  arraying  the  people, 
rough  though  the  array  might  be,  and  as 
Adriel  hurried  along  the  fast-forming  lines 
to  where  he  saw  the  standard  of  Judah  en- 
circled by  dark  masses  of  heavy-armed  spear- 
men, his  quick  eye  ran  over  the  arms  and 


THE  SEVENTH  DAY.  21 

accoutrements  of  the  rugged  tribes  that  were 
to  fight  that  day  for  their  first  foot-hold  in 
the  land. 

Drawn  up  all  on  foot,  they  differed  yet 
among  themselves  in  appearance  and  bearing. 
As  he  passed  through  the  gate,  the  white 
tunics  of  Benjamin  appeared  on  his  right. 
Slings  and  bows  were  their  weapons.  Not  a 
shield  appeared  among  them  to  darken  the 
fair  array.  Here  and  there  a  light  leather 
helmet  without  crest  marked  a  prince  of  the 
tribe.  The  rest  were  bareheaded,  with  locks 
bound  in  by  the  encircling  fillet. 

Turning  his  back  upon  these  light-armed 
troops,  Adriel  hurried  southward,  through 
the  ranks  of  Gad,  orderly  and  for  the  most 
part  well  armed,  through  Simeon,  through 
Reuben,  where  the  standard  of  the  deer 
waved  defiantly,  through  Zebulon  and  Is- 
sachar,  dense  masses  of  dark  warriors  armed 
in  diverse  ways  ;  here  broad  Egyptian  shields 
covered  with  skins ;  there  round  bucklers  of 
metal,  heavy  spears,  battle-axes,  swords,  bows, 


22  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

and  slings,  and  here  and  there  even  clubs 
showed  the  poverty  or  shiftlessness  of  the 
bearers ;  on  to  where  heavy-armed  Judah 
stood,  dense,  orderly,  and  in  waiting  behind 
their  broad  shields,  with  the  waving  forest 
of  spears  and  the  standard  tossing  in  the 
midst. 

Scarcely  had  Adriel  taken  his  place  in  the 
first  ranks  of  his  tribe,  when  the  swelling 
notes  of  the  silver  trumpets  and  whispered 
messages  borne  by  swift  runners,  gave  notice 
of  some  movement  of  importance.  The  time 
was  come  to  advance,  and  the  tribesmen 
pressed  forward  toward  the  palm  trees  from 
among  which  rose  the  beleaguered  battle- 
ments, becoming  momentarily  more  distinct 
in  the  gro  wing  light. 

To  northward  and  southward,  for  the 
space  of  eight  miles,  stretched  the  belt  of 
sheltering  palms  into  which  the  Jewish  host 
now  plunged ;  but  the  scattered  trees — rather 
a  huge,  well-kept  grove  than  a  tangled  for- 
est— offered  no  resistance  to  so  loose  an  array 


THE  SEVENTH  DA  T.  23 

as  swarmed  forward  through  its  spaces. 
Here  and  there  a  house  of  boughs  showed 
some  favored  retreat  from  the  noisy  city; 
here  and  there  an  altar  and  the  image  of  a 
minor  deity  caused  the  halt  for  an  instant  of 
some  zealot  until  altar  and  image  were  over- 
thrown and  shattered  by  sturdily  wielded 
axe  or  club.  On  and  on,  until  the  foremost 
lines,  emerging  from  the  woody  cover,  came 
full  into  view  of  the  city  walls,  with  but  a 
short  quarter  of  a  mile  of  open,  intervening 
space. 

Far  to  northward  and  to  southward 
stretched  the  massive  walls,  frowning  piles  of 
rough  stone  to  the  height  of  thirty  feet, 
thirty  feet  more  of  brick- work,  hardly  less 
sturdy,  while  parapet  and  tower  of  wood 
gave  grace  and  finish  to  the  harsh  and  nigged 
strength  that  kept  guard  beneath. 

Far  up  on  the  lofty  rampart,  shield  and 
helmet  threw  back  the  rays  of  the  awakening 
sun.  Here  and  there  banners  danced  in  the 
gentle  breeze  that  descended  over  the  hills, 


24  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH, 

and  displayed  on  their  open  folds,  now  the 
figure,  now  the  name,  of  some  protecting 
deity,  and  again  monstrous  shapes — dragons, 
serpents,  and  lions — which  should  strike  ter- 
ror into  the  hearts  of  such  as  dared  defy  the 
heavenly  names  and  emblems.  Mere  pigmies 
seemed  these  men  to  the  eyes  of  the  besieg- 
ing hosts,  mere  needles  the  clumps  of  glitter- 
ing spears  that  lined  the  parapets  and  clus- 
tered on  the  towers. 

Slowly  the  invaders  emerged  from  the 
groves,  but  before  the  last  lines  had  de- 
ployed into  the  plain,  the  silver  trumpets 
rang  out  their  clear  summons  that  Israel 
should  stand  still ;  and  then,  for  a  moment, 
silence  fell  over  the  wide-spreading  array. 
Behind  lay  the  palm  belt,  the  camp,  and  the 
Jordan ;  before,  trampled  garden  and  fallen 
grove;  then  impregnable  walls,  and,  beyond 
all,  the  land  that  had  been  promised  them  for 
a  heritage,  and  to  which  sword  and  spear 
must  now  prove  title. 

Adriel  looked  northward,  and  as  he  looked 


THE  SEVENTH  DAT.  25 

the  centre  of  the  host  seemed  to  separate  to 
right  and  left.  Out  into  the  open  plain 
marched  six  priests,  two  and  two.  Before 
them  walked  a  man  who  seemed  to  have 
completed  a  century  of  human  life.  His 
figure,  once  tall  and  commanding,  was  bent 
with  age.  A  forehead  lofty,  but  worn  and 
wrinkled,  gave  an  appearance  of  thought- 
fulness  to  a  face  placid  and  kindly.  From 
under  the  sacred  tiara  flowed  hair  whiter 
than  the  snows  of  the  north.  Hardly  in  keep- 
ing with  the  age  of  the  wearer  seemed  the 
rich  and  gorgeous  garments  that  clothed  his 
form,  or  the  glittering  breast-plate  that  pro- 
claimed his  name  and  rank — Eleazer,  the  son 
of  Aaron,  high-priest  of  Jehovah.  All  un- 
armed were  the  seven,  but  each  bore  in  his 
hand  a  trumpet — not  the  straight  silver  clarion 
that  sounded  the  rally  or  the  charge,  but  the 
short  curved  horn  of  jubilee,  shorn  from  the 
head  of  some  patriarch  of  the  flock.  * 

But  it  was  on  what  followed  close  behind 
the  sacred   escort  that  every  eye  was  fixed; 


26  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTIL 

on  which  the  hardiest  veteran  bent  looks  of 
mingled  fear  and  veneration.  Yet  it  seemed 
worthy  of  neither. 

Borne  on  the  shoulders  of  eight  Kohath- 
ites,  whose  flowing  garments  reached  to  their 
feet,  it  seemed  only  a  canopy  of  dark  purple ; 
but  the  host  knew  well  the  object  which  that 
canopy  shut  out  from  the  gaze  of  man.  No 
living  human  eye  but  that  of  him  who  wore 
the  jewelled  breast-plate  had  ever  looked 
upon  the  uncovered  outlines  of  the  Ark  of 
God ;  yet  every  detail  of  its  material,  its 
workmanship,  and  its  holy  and  awful  con- 
tents, was  graven  deep  in  the  heart  of  the 
humblest  warrior  in  the  ranks,  and  by  look 
and  silence  they  did  it  reverence. 

For  a  moment  the  bearers  and  those  who 
went  before  them  paused,  and  then,  turning 
slowly  southward,  they  traversed  the  entire 
front  of  the  left  wing,  and  again  halted  be- 
fore the  men  of  Judah. 

But  now  the  escort  was  increased,  for  be- 
hind the  Ark  came  one  hundred  picked  men 


THE  SEVENTH  DAT.  27 

from  the  warriors  of  Gad,  a  chosen  rearward. 
Then  the  order  canie  to  Judah  that  the  fore- 
most thousand  of  the  tribe  should  march 
before  the  high -priest;  and  man  after  man, 
line  after  line,  surged  forward,  eager  to  as- 
sume the  holy  charge. 

Ozias  led  these  chosen  troops,  and  close 
behind  him  followed  Adriel;  but  ere  the 
march  commenced,  Ozias  turned  and  ad- 
dressed them: 

"  Hear  ye !  men  of  Judah.  Joshua,  the 
son  of  Nun,  hath  commanded  eveiy  captain 
in  Israel  that  he  speak  to  the  people  saying, 
Seven  times  this  day  shall  the  walls  of  the 
city  be  encompassed,  and  no  man  shall  shout 
or  make  any  noise  until  the  word  goes  forth. 
Then  shall  ye  shout  and  ascend  straightway 
against  the  city." 

Ozias  turned  again  and  led  the  way,  and 
the  men  of  Judah  followed  close  behind  him 
with  knitted  brows  and  hands  fast  straining 
spear  and  shield.  Eleazer  and  the  priests 
marched  next  before  the  purple  canopy,  and 


28  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

the  rearward  of  the  men  of  Gad  pressed  on 
behind  the  Ark. 

Southward  and  westward  passed  the  strange 
pageant,  while  the  armies  of  Israel  rested  upon 
their  spears  and  waited  for  the  signal — nearer 
to  the  wall,  and  skirting  its  southern  confines, 
while  the  horns  of  the  priests  rang  out  clear 
in  the  air  of  the  early  morning. 

On  the  towers  wonder  and  fear  struggled 
against  ridicule  and  contempt.  Curses  and 
scornful  laughter,  jeers  and  ribaldry  were 
hurled  at  the  guard,  at  the  priests,  and  even 
at  the  Ark  of  God.  Steadily  they  passed  on 
by  frowning  battlements,  where  engines  of 
war  stood  ready  to  second  spear  and  sword 
in  stubborn  defence.  Huge  stones  hurtled 
through  the  air  and  fell  crashing  upon  the 
trembling  earth,  but  so  skilfully  did  Ozias 
choose  his  distance  that  rock  and  arrow  fell  as 
far  short  and  as  harmless  as  curse  and  mock- 
ery. Once  the  circuit  was  completed  and  the 
Jewish  lines  reappeared  against  the  back- 
ground of  the  palms;  again  through  ruined 


THE  SEVENTH  DAY.  29 

grove  and  trampled  garden,  where  every  foot- 
fall crushed  out  fragrance  from  the  fallen 
roses ;  on  while  the  mid-day  sun  rose  to  the 
zenith  and  shot  down  its  scorching  rays,  till 
shield  and  helmet  seemed  to  shrivel  in  its 
fiery  grasp,  and  sword  and  spear  shot  back 
a  reflected  defiance. 

And  now  the  sun  was  hastening  down  to- 
ward its  bed  behind  the  western  horizon.  For 
the  seventh  time  had  Ozias  and  Eleazer  led 
their  followers  until  the  city  walls  had  hidden 
them  from  the  straining  eyes  of  the  waiting 
host.  The  moment  was  drawing  near ;  and, 
as  a  lion  crouching  in  his  sheltering  thicket 
with  glaring  eyeballs,  bristling  mane,  and 
lashing  tail,  watches  some  tawny  rival  and 
his  fierce  mistress,  so  Israel  waited.  Every 
eye  was  fixed  upon  the  northward  point  of  the 
beleaguered  walls,  until  sight  well-nigh  failed 
through  the  very  intentness  of  the  gaze. 
Every  hand  strained  tough  spear-shaft  or 
leathern  shield-thong  until  the  weariness  of 
more  than  twenty  combats  fell  upon  cord  and 


30  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

sinew;  and  silence — such  a  silence  over  all 
the  vast  array,  that  the  very  birds  that  had 
retired  trembling  before  the  human  wave  that 
surged  through  their  domains,  came  forth 
warbling  their  even-songs — and  the  host 
waited. 

It  was  then  that  two  captains  strode  out 
before  the  long  lines,  and  the  eyes  of  men,  re- 
lieved, forsook  for  an  instant  the  northern 
buttresses  of  the  city  to  look  upon  Joshua 
the  son  of  Nun  and  Caleb  the  son  of  Je- 
phunneh. 

Taller  by  a  head  than  his  comrade,  Joshua 
seemed  a  man  who  had  completed  a  century 
of  life — no  life  of  ease,  of  pampered  indul- 
gence, of  fondled  luxury ;  but  of  action,  of 
labor,  of  thought,  of  trouble,  aye,  and  of  suf- 
fering. Yet  the  eye  that  shot  its  piercing 
glances  from  under  shaggy  eyebrows  showed 
no  signs  of  the  rheum  of  age.  The  hand, 
from  which  the  flesh  had  shrunken  away, 
showed  no  relaxing  of  cord  or  muscle  as 
it  rested  on  the  hilt  of  the  sword  in  its 


THE  SEVENTH  DA  Y.  31 

leathern  scabbard.  The  frame,  spare,  but 
large-boned  and  sinewy,  stood  as  erect  as 
when  its  younger  muscles  had  tugged  and 
strained  in  the  earlier  struggles  of  a  chec- 
quered  and  stormy  life.  The  beard,  long  and 
ungrizzled  with  the  hue  of  youth,  flowed 
down  over  mail  and  belt.  A  coarse  soldier's 
mantle  thrown  back  from  the  shoulders  dis- 
closed a  corselet  skilfully  wrought  of  quilted 
cloth  strengthened  with  scales  of  brass  over- 
lapping each  other  and  extending  almost  to 
the  knees.  From  under  a  plain  brass  helmet 
stray  locks  of  white  hair  crept  out  to  fall  upon 
the  sinewy  neck  or  half  hide  the  furrows 
that  thought  and  suffering  had  ploughed  in 
the  lofty  forehead.  He  bore  neither  shield 
nor  spear,  only  the  short  Jewish  sword  girded 
at  his  side,  and  with  his  hand  from  time  to 
time  he  shaded  his  eyes  that  anxiously  sought 
to  face  the  setting  sun. 

Caleb,  although  in  age  almost  the  equal  of 
his  companion,  yet  seemed  as  though  twenty 
years  might  have  elapsed  between  their  births. 


32  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

Much  shorter  in  stature,  but  broader  and 
thicker  set,  his  muscular  form  presented  a 
marked  contrast  to  that  of  the  captain  of 
the  host.  In  the  face  the  contrast  was  yet 
more  marked.  The  beard  and  hair  were  short, 
close-curled,  and  grizzled;  and  the  eye  and 
mouth,  while  firm  and  strong,  yet  lacked  the 
fire  of  lofty  purpose,  the  fierceness  of  intense 
passion,  and  withal  the  kindliness  and  even 
tenderness  that  at  times  shone  forth  in  Joshua, 
as  though  the  God  of  Israel  had  breathed 
upon  his  chosen  warn  or.  The  arms  of  the  son 
of  Jephunneh  were  similar  to  but  richer  in 
workmanship  and  finish  than  those  of  the 
great  leader.  He  wore  no  mantle,  and  the 
flowing  crest  of  his  bronze  helmet  mingled 
with  the  grizzled  curls  that  here  and  there 
escaped  from  its  encircling  rim.  His  eye 
wandered  from  time  to  time  from  the  point 
on  which  Joshua's  remained  fixed,  as  though 
looking  were  life  and  wavering  death  to  the 
lines  of  the  waiting  army;  while  his  hand 
toyed  nervously,  now  with  the  leathern  skirt 


THE  SEVENTH  DAY.  33 

of  his  corselet,  now  with  the  hilt  of  his  sword, 
and  yet  again  stroked  his  beard  with  hurried 
and  restless  motion. 

Evening  was  fast  descending. 

Suddenly  Joshua  stepped  forward  a  pace 
with  head  bent  forward  and  hand  still  shad- 
ing his  eyes.  Far  toward  the  north  and  west 
a  small  cloud  of  dust  rose  slowly,  and  then 
the  faint  glitter  of  steel  shot  out  from  here 
and  there  amid  its  sombre  shadow.  A  low 
hum  went  up  from  the  waiting  army. 

Swiftly  the  old  warrior  faced  them  and 
raised  his  hand  in  warning  or  in  menace,  and 
the  half -articulate  murmur  sunk  away. 

Again  he  turned  toward  the  approaching 
cloud,  now  closed  no  longer,  but  the  thou- 
sand of  Judah  pressing  forward  in  full  view, 
with  Ozias  at  the  head ;  weary  and  footsore 
yet  eager  and  expectant.  With  a  hurried 
word  to  his  comrade  Joshua  strode  forward 
to  meet  the  Ark  and  its  escort,  and,  as  Caleb 
passed  back  to  the  host  and  gave  the  long- 
wished-for  word,  the  troops  awoke  to  action. 


34  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Iii  dense  masses,  by  household,  by  family,  by 
tribe,  they  pressed  toward  the  walls. 

The  Ark  had  now  reached  the  centre  of  the 
plain,  and  for  an  instant  the  clangor  of  the 
rams'  horns  sank  into  silence.  Then  a  blast 
so  long,  so  concentrated,  so  shrill,  rose  from 
the  seven  trumpets,  that  the  startled  listeners 
stood  trembling;  and  Joshua,  the  captain  of 
Israel,  once  more  turned  him  toward  the  vast 
multitude  that  surged  and  swayed  under  the 
long-borne  tension.  His  form  seemed  to  gain 
in  stature.  His  face  shone  with  awe  and 
grandeur.  Even  the  armor  he  wore  shot 
brighter  rays  than  the  mid-day  sun  had 
drawn  from  brass  or  bronze.  He  lifted  his 
arms  high  over  his  head,  and,  as  the  first  long 
blast  died  away,  his  voice  rang  clear  across 
the  plain  with  the  strength  of  a  hundred 
men,  and  sharp  and  distinct  the  accents 
fell  upon  five  hundred  thousand  listening 
ears : 

"  Let  Israel  shout !  for  the  Lord  hath  de- 
livered them  into  our  hands  ! " 


TEE  SEVENTH  DAT.  35 

And  then  the  very  heavens  seemed  to 
wave  and  shiver  as  a  roar,  long,  loud,  and 
deep,  rose  in  a  steady  swell  drowning  the 
feeble  trumpets  in  one  tumultuous  blast  of 
gathered  voices.  Zeal,  worship,  reverence, 
the  wrath  of  combat,  and  last  of  all  triumph 
were  in  that  shout.  The  earth  reeled  and 
shuddered  beneath  the  awful  acclamation, 
and  the  voice  of  heaven — was  it  the  thunder 
of  God  or  an  echo  from  the  vaulted  skies 
themselves  ? — hurled  back  the  soiind. 

For  an  instant  every  man  stood  in  his 
place  stupefied,  spell-bound,  with  eyes  that 
gazed  but  saw  nothing ;  and  then,  with  one 
accord,  they  looked  upon  the  city,  but  they 
saw  it  not. 

A  huge  cloud  of  dust,  thick,  ponderous, 
impenetrable,  hung  over  the  spot;  while 
rumbling  echoes  and  reverberations  rolled 
back  from  the  hills — echoes  of  other  sounds 
than  those  to  which  the  heavens  and  the 
host  of  Israel  had  given  birth,  the  sounds 
of  crumbling  walls,  of  falling  masses  of  ma- 


36 


THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 


sonry ;  and  voices,  not  the  triumphant  shout 
of  besiegers,  but  screams,  shrill  and  pro- 
longed, where  intense  terror  strove  with 
mortal  anguish  until  both  seemed  to  con- 
quer. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FIRE     AND     SWORD. 

now  the  words  of  Joshua,  the  son 
of  Nun,  rose  above  the  dying  clamor: 
"Let  Israel  advance  up  into  the 
city,  every  man  before  him  ! " 

All  day  the  crouching  lion  had  lain  in  am- 
bush. Then  he  had  prowled  forth  from  his 
lair,  with  lashing  tail  and  eager  fangs.  Now 
he  sprang !  With  one  mighty  impulse  the 
surging  mass  swept  forward  into  the  murky 
cloud  that  still  enveloped  the  smitten  foe. 

And  then  the  freshening  breeze  of  evening 
came  down  over  the  hills  and  drove  before  it 
the  last  safeguard  of  a  lost  race,  until,  in  the 
yellow  twilight,  the  people  saw  tower  and 
rampart  lying  in  headlong  ruin.  Where  but 


38  TUB  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTII. 

a  moment  before  lofty  wall  and  buttress  liad 
reared  their  massive  strength  heavenward, 
and  had  proudly  bade  the  bearer  of  spear 
and  shield,  "  Be  of  good  cheer !  How  shall 
harm  come  to  ye  unless  the  Gods  of  Israel 
can  give  their  warriors  wings  ? "  —there  were 
heaps  of  shattered  debris,  stone,  brick,  and 
timber,  and  among  them  now  and  again  spear 
and  shield — aye,  and  grimmer  witnesses  of 
destruction.  Here  an  arm  reached  out  from 
beneath  heaps  of  rubbish ;  there  a  broken 
helmet  disclosed  a  face  ghastly  and  blood- 
stained ;  for  amid  that  smoking  mass  lay  the 
flower  of  the  city's  soldiery.  Hands  that  a 
moment  before  had  strained  the  hilt  of  sword 
or  drawn  bow-string,  and  lips  that  had  scoffed 
and  mocked  and  cursed  the  armies  of  the  in- 
vader, now  rested,  nerveless  and  voiceless, 
beneath  the  guard  on  which  they  had  so 
firmly  relied,  while  over  the  still  seething 
ruins,  over  buried  hand  and  silenced  lip, 
rolled  the  oncoming  tide  of  relentless  assault. 
Down  into  the  defenceless  city,  shorn  of 


FIRE  AND  SWORD.  39 

guard  and  garrison,  poured  swarms  of  dark- 
faced  warriors — faces  in  which  the  fury  of 
combat  mingled  with  the  zeal  of  religious  en- 
thusiasm, and  hearts  relentless  alike  to  man's 
menaced  defence,  woman's  vain  entreaty,  and 
infancy's  appealing  helplessness  ;  on,  through 
narrow  streets  and  spacious  squares,  into 
humble  hovels  and  glittering  temples — here 
resisted  by  a  handful  of  desperate  men,  there 
meeting  nothing  but  defenceless  bosoms 
bared  to  the  deadly  blow,  and  everywhere 
blood — blood  in  streams,  defiling  street,  tem- 
ple, and  dwelling. 

When  the  first  rush  of  the  assailants  swept 
over  the  fallen  wall,  it  became  at  once  ap- 
parent that  all  organized  or  general  resistance 
was  at  an  end,  and  that  naught  remained  but 
the  work  of  destruction  in  dreadful  detail. 
Thus  it  happened  that  the  victorious  army, 
partly  through  instinctive  perception  of  the 
exigencies  of  the  case,  partly  from  a  necessity 
arising  from  the  nature  of  the  surroundings, 
rapidly  broke  up  into  small  companies  which 


40  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

hastened  to  spread  fire  and  sword  through  the 
helpless  city.  Adriel  was  borne  madly  for- 
ward in  the  rush,  and,  once  within  the  walls, 
found  himself,  as  it  were,  at  the  head  of  a 
band  of  some  two  score  of  the  youth  of 
Judah.  Swiftly  they  pressed  on  down  a  nar- 
row street,  delayed  for  an  instant  by  a  dozen 
old  men  and  striplings  who  vainly  strove  to 
bar  the  path  only  to  fall  before  the  odds  that 
overwhelmed  them ;  and  then,  with  weap- 
ons dripping  blood,  the  Israelites  made  their 
way  into  a  wide  thoroughfare  along  which 
were  buildings  that  showed  conclusively  the 
wealth  and  consequence  of  their  owners. 

Another  band  had  evidently  been  before 
them,  for  gates  battered  down  seemed  to  in- 
dicate a  close  scrutiny  of  the  interiors.  Drops 
of  the  hue  of  death  were  sprinkled  round 
about,  as  though  they  had  dripped  from  over- 
laden sword  and  spear,  while  here  and  there 
a  prostrate  figure  of  man  or  woman  bore 
surer  witness  to  the  work  of  destruction. 

Suddenly  the  band  of  young  men  halted  in 


FIRE  AND  SWORD.  41 

front  of  a  building,  the  size  and  commanding 
architecture  of  which  declared  it  to  be  the 
residence  of  some  person  of  rank.  Where 
sun-dried  bricks  had  furnished  a  satisfac- 
tory material  for  other  houses,  in  this  one 
blocks  of  rough  stone,  differing  only  in  size 
from  those  of  the  city  wall,  gave  evidence  of 
massive  strength — strength  in  the  composi- 
tion of  which  the  builder  seemed  to  have 
contemplated  some  such  emergency  as  that 
which  now  confronted  his  handiwork.  On 
every  side  it  presented  a  solid  wall  twenty 
feet  high,  with  a  row  of  small  oblong  win- 
dows near  the  top.  The  only  entrance  was 
by  a  broad  arched  gateway,  fitted  with  pon- 
derous doors  of  wood  covered  and  strength- 
ened with  plates  of  bronze. 

But  it  was  neither  the  size  and  strength  of 
the  building  nor  the  indicated  importance  of 
its  owner  that  claimed  the  chief  attention  of 
the  young  Jews  and  their  chance-constituted 
leader.  It  was  the  eight  Israelite  warriors 
who  lay  dead  or  gasping  their  last  before  the 


42  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

archway,  that  told  the  story  of  assault ;  and 
it  was  the  close-barred  and  fastened  entrance, 
with  its  battered  but  still  solid  gate,  that  told 
the  story  of  failure  and  repulse. 

Even  while  the  band  clustered  around 
Adriel  to  hold  a  short  consultation  as  to  the 
feasibility  of  an  attack,  an  arrow  whistled 
from  one  of  the  small  windows  and  a  spear 
rang  clanging  to  the  pavement,  while  its 
bearer  sunk  down  with  the  barbed  shaft  in 
his  throat.  For  an  instant  the  Jews  drew 
back  from  so  dangerous  a  position.  Then  one 
of  them,  addressing  Adriel,  spoke  : 

"  Dost  thou  not  remember  the  heavy  beam 
lying  by  the  side  of  the  street  through  which 
we  have  just  come?  Let  four  of  thy  serv- 
ants hurry  back  now  and  we  shall  see  wheth- 
er yonder  gateway  can  hold  its  own." 

"  Thou  speakest  wisely,"  said  Adriel. 
"Do  thou  take  five  men  and  go  and  bring 
us  the  beam,  and  we  will  wait  for  thy  re- 
turn." 

Eagerly  they  hurried  away,  while  Adriel 


FIRE  AND  SWORD.  43 

drew  the  rest  of  his  companions  behind  the 
sheltering  angle  of  a  neighboring  house. 

In  the  building,  the  object  of  their  attack, 
all  was  silent  as  the  grave.  It  seemed  as 
though  the  arrow  had  been  the  sole  tenant  of 
the  gloomy  walls  and  had  flown  forth  charged 
with  the  vengeance  of  a  race,  leaving  a  soli- 
tude behind. 

There  was  short  time  for  surmise,  for  soon 
the  sandals  of  the  returning  men  drew  wel- 
come music  from  the  rough-paved  street  as 
they  came  staggering  under  their  burden,  a 
ponderous  piece  of  timber. 

"  Is  it  a  staff  of  one  of  the  sons  of  Anak 
that  ye  have  brought  us?"  said  Adriel. 
"  Yonder  gate  will  be  stubborn  indeed  if  it 
open  not  to  the  magic  touch  of  so  potent  a 
charm  ;  but  come  now  !  do  ye  who  bear  bows 
stand  back  and  keep  the  heathen  from  wall 
and  window  while  we  try  the  strength  of 
their  plates  and  bolts." 

As  he  spoke  he  stepped  forward,  and  with 
a  dozen  others  raised  the  mass  of  cedar. 


44  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

With  bent  heads  they  pressed  toward  the 
frowning  archway.  But  they  were  observed 
by  watchful  eyes.  A  dozen  arrows  flew 
from  the  embrasures.  A  shaft  quivered  in 
the  breast  of  one  assailant ;  another  pierced 
the  shoulder  of  a  second.  The  answering 
flight  from  the  besieging  party  for  the  most 
part  dropped  blunted  and  harmless  from  the 
hard  stone,  and  such  as  passed  through  the 
windows  bore  back  no  message  of  work  well 
done  to  encourage  those  who  had  sent  them 
forth.  Then  the  bearers  of  the  improvised 
battering-ram  gained  the  shelter  of  the  wall 
and  arch,  and  the  beam  was  borne  full  against 
the  centre  of  the  stout  door. 

It  groaned  under  the  stroke,  but,  though 
smitten  hard,  still  presented  an  unbroken 
front  to  the  assault.  A  few  steps  back,  and 
they  crouched  for  another  rush ;  and  then, 
with  all  the  nervous  energy  of  youthful 
strength,  they  hurled  themselves  again  against 
the  stubborn  barrier. 

This  time,  half  wrenched  from  its  fasten- 


FIRE  AND  SWORD.  45 

ings,  it  sprung  and  quivered,  until  a  third 
and  shorter  charge  bore  it  headlong  from 
post  and  bolt,  and  the  gaping  entrance  lay 
open.  Open,  but  threatening  death  from,  its 
gloomy  portal  to  such  as  might  dare  to  enter. 

Scarcely  had  the  door  sunk  when  a  third 
flight  of  arrows  sped  from  the  darkness, 
stretching  two  more  of  the  band  on  the  fast- 
reddening  stones. 

They  had  stood  gazing  at  the  successful 
termination  of  their  first  effort,  but  whist- 
ling reed  and  feather  soon  aroused  them  to  a 
sense  of  present  insecurity  and  further  work 
to  be  accomplished. 

Adriel  drew  his  short  sword,  and  crouch- 
ing behind  his  broad  shield  sprang  forward 
into  the  now  open  passage.  His  followers 
hurried  after,  and  the  archers  hastened  from 
their  cover  to  support  the  attack.  The  next 
moment  they  were  among  the  weapons  of  the 
garrison. 

Fiercely  the  struggle  surged  and  swayed  in 
the  narrow  pathway.  Darkness  pitchy,  in- 


46  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

tense,  covered  alike  friend  and  foe,  while 
blow  and  thrust,  unaimed  and  unguarded, 
soon  strewed  the  pavement  with  the  writh- 
ing forms  of  assailant  and  defender. 

The  struggle  in  the  darkness  was  of  short 
duration.  By  sheer  weight  and  impetuosity 
the  men  of  Judah  forced  their  opponents 
back,  back,  and  upward,  for  the  passage  in- 
clined sharply  from  the  gate,  until  its  gloom 
began  to  brighten,  and  then,  gathering  all 
their  strength,  they  hurled  the  shattered  and 
bleeding  remnant  into  a  small  open  court, 
where,  aided  by  the  light  of  the  now  fast  ris- 
ing moon,  the  Jewish  sword  smote  true  and 
deep  until  it  poised,  a  sceptre,  over  subjects 
who  could  never  again  dispute  its  reign. 

Hastily  ordering  a  few  of  his  men  to  keep 
together  in  the  court  as  a  precaution  against 
surprise,  Adriel  and  the  rest  hurried  on 
through  the  building  in  search  for  hidden 
foes ;  for  had  not  the  God  of  Israel  com- 
manded through  the  mouth  of  Joshua,  his 
servant :  "  Ye  shall  leave  no  one  alive  within 


FIRE  AND  SWORD.  47 

the  city,  saving  only  Rahab  the  harlot  and 
her  household  "  ? 

Passing  through  another  archway,  and  still 
upward,  they  found  themselves  in  a  second 
court  of  spacious  dimensions.  Long  rows  of 
columns,  each  the  single  trunk  of  the  palm 
tree  elaborately  carved  with  semblance  of 
god,  man,  and  beast,  were  ranged  on  all  sides 
of  the  court,  and  supported  a  lofty  roof 
around  the  open  space  in  the  centre.  Be- 
tween the  pillars  hung  rich  curtains  of  heavy 
stuff,  brilliant  with  varied  colors  and  woven 
with  threads  of  gold,  shutting  out  all  view 
of  what  might  lie  beyond.  The  floor  of  the 
court  was  paved  with  slabs  of  Ninevite  ala- 
baster, which  glittered  with  a  ghastly  efful- 
gence as  the  moonlight  streamed  down  upon 
their  smooth  expanse.  In  the  centre,  a  foun- 
tain of  colored  marble,  carved  in  intricate 
designs,  sent  up  innumerable  jets  of  crystal 
water  that  fell  again  with  a  joyous  yet  sad 
plash  upon  the  rippling  surface  below. 

Adriel  stood  still  and  looked  around  him. 


48  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Was  it  the  gorgeous  magnificence  of  the 
surroundings  that  dazzled  his  eyes  ?  Was  it 
the  stillness,  save  for  the  plashing  of  the 
fountain,  that  soothed  his  brain?  Or  was 
it  the  cold,  serene  light  pouring  down  from 
above  that  hovered  over  the  turbulent  pas- 
sions surging  within  his  bosom,  and  shed 
something  of  its  own  passionless  calm  over 
that  troubled  sea  ?  Or  was  it  merely  inde- 
cision as  to  a  choice  of  one  of  the  many 
avenues  of  further  search  that  made  him 
pause,  leaning  upon  his  shield,  beside  the 
plashing  fountain  and  gaze  down  into  its 
crystal  depths  ? 

His  comrades,  heated  with  conflict  and  mad 
with  the  first  draught  of  Canaanitish  blood, 
had  pressed  on  without  noticing  his  delay, 
and,  broken  up  into  groups  of  two  or  three, 
had  scattered  in  quest  of  more  victims,  leav- 
ing no  trace  behind  except,  here  and  there, 
where  torn  down  and  trampled  hangings  dis- 
closed the  dark  passages  into  which  they  had 
vanished. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    ABODE    OF    ASHTAEOTH. 

DRIEL  started  from  his  reverie  and 
glanced  around.  No  one  was  in 
sight.  Half  shaking  off  the  thoughts 
and  feelings  that  had  oppressed  him,  he 
stepped  slowly  forward  over  the  pavement 
toward  one  of  the  exposed  passages.  But, 
before  he  had  passed  into  its  shadows,  his 
eye  was  attracted  by  a  curtain  of  peculiar 
magnificence  that  hung  between  two  neigh- 
boring columns. 

It  was  of  the  finest  texture,  dyed  with  the 
most  delicate  shade  of  Phoenician  purple,  and 
embroidered  with  intricate  designs.  At  the 
first  glance  they  seemed  to  be  a  simple  scroll- 
work of  waving  and  interlaced  lines  in  threads 


50  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

of  gold,  but  a  closer  inspection  showed  forms 
of  human  beings  and  animals,  predominant 
among  which  was  one  which  partook  of  the 
characters  of  both — the  figure  of  a  woman 
with  the  head  of  an  heifer.  This  shape 
appeared  in  different  positions ;  now  sur- 
rounded by  groups  of  kneeling  maidens  and 
bearded  priests,  and  again  amid  a  ring  of 
merry  dancers;  but  always  the  central  idea 
of  the  design. 

Casting  a  hasty  and  half-scornful  look  upon 
the  cunning  piece  of  handiwork,  and  mur- 
muring to  himself,  "  Of  a  truth  the  heathen 
are  clever  with  the  needle,"  the  young 
Israelite  thrust  aside  the  curtain  and  saw 
before  him  a  long,  broad  avenue,  a  few  feet 
down  which  the  moonbeams  played  with  a 
pale  and  sickly  light.  Beyond  all  was  dark- 
ness save  for  a  dim  effulgence  that  seemed  to 
come  from  no  apparent  source. 

Adriel  hesitated  no  longer,  but,  tearing 
down  the  hanging  so  that  the  moonlight 
might  illumine  the  gloom  as  far  as  possible, 


THE  ABODE  OF  ASHTAROTH.  51 

he  grasped  his  sword  firmly  and,  with  cautious 
steps,  commenced  to  thread  the  unknown 
path. 

Slowly  the  light  of  the  Queen  of  Heaven 
died  out  behind  him,  and  yet  Darkness  seemed 
to  hesitate  to  close  her  grasp  upon  the  bold 
adventurer  who  thus  dared  to  invade  her 
domain.  A  dull  glow  still  shone  around  and 
guided  his  advancing  footsteps. 

At  first  he  pushed  on  with  every  sense 
alert  to  catch  the  slightest  sign  of  danger; 
but  soon  his  eye  began  to  cease  from  strain- 
ing for  what  might  lie  before,  and  to  gaze 
wonderingly  upon  the  strange  sights  that 
were  spread  around  him. 

The  passage  along  which  he  was  making 
his  way  seemed  about  fifteen  feet  wide  and 
twenty  in  height,  with  a  roof  arched  in  the 
most  perfect  symmetry.  The  walls  and  roof 
were  formed  of  translucent  alabaster  marvel- 
lously veined,  shaded  with  red  and  yellow, 
and  carved  with  figures,  prominent  among 
which  there  still  appeared  the  form,  half 


52  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

woman,  half  beast,  that  had  been  emblazoned 
upon  the  curtain. 

As  his  tense  nerves  now  somewhat  relaxed 
themselves  and  the  blood  flowed  in  a  more 
measured  current  through  his  veins,  Adriel 
began  to  wonder  at  the  origin  of  the  light 
that  shone  around  him.  There  were  no 
torches,  no  lamps,  in  the  passage.  The  roof 
was  completely  vaulted  over.  He  was  too 
far  from  the  entrance  for  the  most  persistent 
moonbeam  to  have  pursued  him;  and  surely 
the  illumination  did  not  proceed  from  what 
might  lay  before,  since,  as  he  advanced,  it 
gained  nothing  in  intensity,  but  shone  with 
the  same  steady  glow,  just  enough  to  reveal 
immediately  surrounding  objects. 

A  closer  scrutiny  at  last  disclosed  that  it 
proceeded  from  the  walls  themselves,  and 
shone  through  the  alabaster  from  some  hidden 
source  beyond.  This  was  evident  from  the 
fact  that  the  form  and  face  of  every  sculp- 
tured figure,  even  the  delicately  carved  folds 
of  garment  and  drapery,  seemed  as  distinct 


THE  ABODE  OF  ASHTAROTH.  53 

and  clear  as  though  the  sun  shone  full  upon 
their  graceful  outlines,  while  the  centre  of 
the  passage  remained  almost  in  darkness. 

But  soon  there  came  a  change  in  the  uni- 
formity of  the  surroundings,  for,  as  Adriel 
continued  his  way  now  slowly  and  cautiously, 
he  saw  before  him  a  flight  of  low  steps  of 
colored  marbles  extending  across  the  full 
breadth  of  the  passage.  A  few  paces  back 
from  the  top  another  curtain,  of  similar  mate- 
rial and  workmanship  to  that  which  had  con- 
cealed the  entrance,  barred  all  further  view. 

But  the  look  which  Adriel  bestowed  upon 
stairway  and  hanging  was  short  and  care- 
less; for  at  top,  and  before  the  curtain,  as 
though  guarding  some  last  refuge,  he  saw  a 
warlike  and  threatening  figure.  A  man  clad 
in  a  coat  of  mail  of  brass  scale-work  reaching 
to  his  knees  and  elbows,  and  helmeted  in  a 
close-fitting  cap  of  bronze,  with  pieces  at- 
tached to  protect  the  ears  and  back  of  the 
neck.  The  face  was  exposed,  and  was  that 
of  a  youth  younger  even  than  Adriel,  some. 


54  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

what  darker  in  complexion,  but  with  fine-cut 
and  delicate  features,  which,  while  giving, 
perhaps,  less  indication  of  manly  courage 
and  hardihood  than  the  face  of  the  young 
Hebrew,  yet  showed  a  pride  and  haughti- 
ness hardly  in  accord  with  the  almost  femi- 
nine refinement  of  the  outlines.  On  his  left 
arm  he  carried  a  small,  round  buckler  of 
polished  brass,  and  in  his  right  hand  a  sword 
somewhat  longer  than  the  Jewish  weapon, 
but  lighter  and  apparently  of  better  work- 
manship. 

The  Hebrew  did  not  wait  for  a  second 
glance,  but,  half  crouching  behind  his  shield, 
sprang  up  the  marble  steps,  eager  to  sweep 
this  new  obstacle  from  his  path.  The  thrust 
of  the  Jewish  sword  was  received  upon  the 
brazen  buckler,  and  with  a  skilful  motion 
turned  aside,  while  the  weapon  of  the  other 
descended  in  full  sway.  Adriel  had  barely 
time  to  interpose  his  shield  in  the  path  of  the 
blow  ere  the  sharp  edge  shore  clean  through 
the  rim  of  metal  and  cut  down  almost  to 


THE  ABODE  OF  ASHTAROTH.  55 

where  his  arm  was  braced  in  the  holding 
strap.  A  second  blow,  delivered  as  the  Is- 
raelite stepped  back  astonished  at  the 
strength  and  skill  of  his  opponent,  fell  full 
upon  the  Moabitish  helmet,  and  but  for  the 
skill  of  the  armorers  of  Moab  had  cloven  the 
wearer's  head.  As  it  was  he  reeled  half- 
stunned  and  dropped  his  broken  shield. 

With  a  cry  of  triumph,  the  first  sound  he 
had  uttered,  the  Canaanite  rushed  upon  his 
antagonist  with  weapon-point  presented  full 
at  his  unprotected  face.  There  was  no  time 
to  test  the  mail  of  Canaan  with  the  Jewish 
sword,  even  had  its  bearer  been  in  condition 
to  ply  the  blow.  Half  reeling,  he  could  only 
swing  his  head  from  the  path  of  the  coming 
thrust.  It  passed  harmlessly  over  his  shoul- 
der, and  the  next  instant  he  had  closed  with 
his  antagonist  and  locked  him  in  a  firm  em- 
brace. 

Adriel  felt  his  strength  beginning  to  re- 
turn, but  before  his  sword  could  be  short- 
ened for  use  at  such  close  quarters,  his  foe 


56  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

forced  him  backward  with  the  intention  of 
hurling  him  down  the  stairs.  This  danger 
was  not  perceived  by  the  Hebrew  until  his 
foot  failed  him,  forced  over  the  top  step ;  and 
then,  feeling  himself  falling,  he  tightened  his 
grasp  on  his  enemy,  and  Hebrew  and  Canaan- 
ite  rolled  headlong,  locked  in  each  other's 
arms,  down  to  the  hallway  below. 

Both  staggered  to  their  feet  bruised  and 
bleeding.  Before  the  Canaanite  could  make 
good  his  defence  Adriel  sprang  upon  him, 
and,  with  one  blow,  drove  his  short  sword 
through  the  linked  corselet, — through,  until 
its  point  struck  the  plates  of  metal  upon  the 
soldier's  back.  The  proud  face  bent  forward 
upon  the  chest.  The  hands  clasped  and  un- 
clasped convulsively  while  the  sword  fell 
clanging  to  the  pavement ;  and  then  its 
owner  sank  down  with  the  warm  blood  gush- 
ing in  streams  from  his  mouth  and  breast. 
One  or  two  convulsive  gasps,  a  haughty  glare 
of  undying  hostility,  and  the  well-knit  limbs 
relaxed.  The  path  was  open  and  unguarded. 


THE  ABODE  OF  A8HTAROTH.  57 

Hastily  disengaging  his  sword  from  the 
body  of  his  fallen  foe,  Adriel  stood  still  a 
moment  to  recover  his  breath  and  wipe  the 
blood  from  his  face.  Then,  taking  the  buck- 
ler of  the  Canaanite  in  place  of  his  own 
broken  shield,  he  once  more  mounted  the 
stairs,  this  time  unopposed,  and  striding  to- 
ward the  curtain  drew  its  folds  aside  and 
stepped  boldly  through. 

He  found  himself  in  a  circular  chamber, 
at  the  farther  end  of  which  stood  an  altar 
whence  a  lighted  lamp  shed  a  soft  radiance 
over  the  room,  and  brought  into  full  view  an 
image  placed  upon  a  pedestal  at  the  back  of 
the  shrine.  Carved  in  the  most  perfect  sym- 
metry, it  appeared  the  figure  of  a  woman 
with  the  head  of  a  heifer — she  whom  he  had 
seen  depicted  upon  curtain  and  wall.  The 
ceiling  of  the  chamber  was  a  lofty  dome  in 
which  were  set  hundreds  of  stars,  while  a 
crescent  moon  shone  directly  above  her  of  the 
heifer  head. 

For  a  moment  their  brilliancy  made  Adriel 


58  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

imagine  that  the  room  was  open  to  the  sky, 
but  a  second  glance  convinced  him  that  they 
were  unreal,  and  that  the  same  internal  light 
that  had  illumined  the  figures  of  the  passage 
gave  radiance  to  the  host  of  this  mask  of 
night.  The  walls  were  hung  with  rich  and 
heavy  curtains  of  dark  silk,  plain  and  un- 
figured,  as  though  the  image  behind  the  altar 
might  not  brook  to  gaze  upon  meaner  per- 
sonifications. 

As  the  eye  of  the  intruder  wandered  from 
one  to  the  other  of  the  wonders  of  the  cham- 
ber, he  was  suddenly  startled  by  the  con- 
sciousness that  he  was  not  its  only  occupant ; 
for,  glancing  at  the  foot  of  the  altar,  he  saw 
what  seemed  to  be  a  slight  girlish  figure  kneel- 
ing, with  her  head  buried  in  her  hands  as 
though  in  prayer  or  sorrow — perhaps  both. 
Her  back  was  turned  toward  him.  A  long 
white  robe  without  trimming  or  ornament 
and  girded  at  the  waist  with  a  golden  zone, 
clung  close  to  her  form,  revealing  perfectly 
rounded  outlines  of  feminine  beauty,  while 


THE  ABODE  OF  ASHTAROTH.  59 

her  arms,  bare  from  the  shoulder,  seemed  like 
the  master- work  of  some  sculptor,  save  for  the 
tint  of  life. 

A  feeling  of  pity  rose  up  in  the  heart  of 
the  young  soldier ;  and  then  the  command  of 
the  God  of  Israel  seemed  to  ring  in  his  ears, 
the  command  of  destruction  utter  and  indis- 
criminating.  That  God  was  a  Being  who — 
more  than  a  God — had  been  an  ever-present 
king  and  captain  to  his  people  ;  who  had  re- 
vealed himself  to  them  in  his  approbation 
and  in  his  wrath ;  through  miracles  of  pro- 
tection and  through  miracles  of  punishment. 
His  orders  possessed  a  sanction  that  made 
their  transgression  seem  an  impossibility  to 
the  mind  of  one  born  and  trained  in  the 
midst  of  such  manifestations  of  divine  exist- 
ence and  power.  Adriel  strained  his  sword 
with  a  more  convulsive  grasp  than  had  held 
it  when  it  sped  through  the  Canaanite's  mail, 
and  made  one  stride  forward  into  the  room. 


CHAPTEK  V. 


THE    EOSE    OF    JERICHO. 

S  his  footfall  sounded  upon  the  floor, 
the  girl  seemed  to  become  first  aware 
of  his  presence,  and,  rising  from 
her  kneeling  posture,  turned  and  confronted 
him. 

He  had  listened  to  the  story-tellers  of  his 
tribe  weaving  their  tales  at  the  entrance  of 
camp  and  tent ;  tales  wherein  the  beauty  of 
the  women  of  the  past  had  been  the  theme 
which  awakened  the  highest  power  of  the 
narrator  and  the  closest  attention  of  the 
listeners.  He  had  gazed  into  Miriam's  dark 
eyes  and  played  with  the  tresses  of  her  raven 
hair,  and  told  her  that  the  queens  of  the 
story-tellers  were  as  nothing  to  her.  And 


THE  ROSE  OF  JERICHO.  61 

now  Miriam  seemed  as  far  away  as  Rachel 
and  Rebecca  and  that  daughter  of  Pharaoh 
who  had  nurtured  Moses  ;  while  the  beauty 
of  the  being  before  him  drove  the  thought  of 
all  former  perfection  back — back,  until  it 
faded  and  was  gone. 

As  she  rose  her  hair  had  fallen  and,  flung 
back  by  her  hands,  now  hung  in  loose  wavy 
masses  down  her  back,  revealing  a  face 
faultless  in  outline.  The  clear,  dark  complex- 
ion, the  low,  broad  forehead,  the  delicate  nose 
slightly  aquiline,  the  perfect  mouth  and 
rounded  chin,  and,  reigning  over  all,  the  eyes 
—great,  dark,  sad  eyes — deep — so  deep  that 
they  seemed  to  look  out  from  another  world 
to  bear  messages  of  love  and  comfort  to  the 
struggling  creatures  of  this. 

Adriel  uttered  an  involuntary  cry  and 
staggered  back,  his  vision  dazzled  and  his  arm 
unnerved  by  the  beauty  of  the  woman  before 
him.  Was  it  a  goddess  of  the  heathen  who 
stood  by  the  altar  ?  Was  it  that  Ashtaroth 
of  whom  he  had  heard  strange  tales  by  the 


62  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Israelitish  camp  fires — how  that  her  power 
reigned  over  the  land,  and  her  abominations 
were  spread  through  the  cities  which  they 
were  come  to  possess  ?  Could  it  be  that, 
though  unable  to  save  her  city,  she  could  yet 
overcome  him,  a  soldier  of  the  God  of  Israel  ? 

Swiftly  the  thoughts  surged  through  his 
mind,  but  almost  as  swiftly  they  were  gone. 
"Were  this  a  goddess,  would  she  not  have 
appeared  in  time  to  save  her  votary  who  had 
stood  in  defence  of  her  inner  shrine?  Or 
would  she  not  have  been  striving  to  avert  the 
doom  now  falling  upon  her  people  ?  And 
then,  too,  the  face,  though  proud  and  self-con- 
tained, had  everything  of  the  woman  in  its 
delicate  outlines. 

While  Adriel  stood  spell-bound  in  the  en- 
trance of  the  chamber,  the  girl,  on  the  other 
hand,  advanced  slowly  toward  him  until,  stand- 
ing within  arm's  length,  she  threw  open  her 
garment  at  the  throat,  and  remained  motion- 
less as  though  awaiting  the  final  stroke. 

It  came  not.     Had    it   been  Miriam's  self 


THE  ROSE  OF  JERICHO.  63 

who  stood  there,  the  sword  of  Adriel  had  not 
been  of  less  avail,  while  its  owner  could  only 
gaze  marvelling  upon  the  eyes  and  brow  that 
so  fearlessly  faced  him. 

The  silence  was  at  length  broken  by  the 
girl. 

"  Let  the  son  of  Israel  hasten  to  finish  that 
for  which  he  came." 

The  voice  was  soft  and  melodious,  sweet  as 
in  the  ears  of  Israel  was  the  murmur  of  the 
water  that  fell  from  the  rock  by  Moses  smitten 
in  the  desert  years  ago.  There  was  a  calm- 
ness in  the  tone  which,  forced  though  it  may 
have  been,  contrasted  strongly  with  the  irres- 
olution of  the  assailant.  He  did  not  seem  to 
hear  her  words  and  she  spoke  again. 

"  Why  dost  thou  delay  ?  I  know  well  the 
custom  of  thy  people,  and  it  were  better  so 
than  to  live  the  slave  of  some  dark-browed 
prince  of  the  Hittites.  See  !  I  do  not  wince 
or  shudder  at  thy  sword." 

His  head  seemed  to  swim,  and  a  thousand 
strange  ideas  like  the  phantasms  of  a  dream 


64  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

whirled  and  eddied  in  his  confused  mind. 
Joshua,  the  princes  of  Israel,  and  their  stern 
mandates  of  uncompromising  destruction  were 
before  his  eyes,  while  above  and  through  all 
he  could  almost  see  the  face  of  the  grand  and 
mysterious  Being  who  had  spoken  to  his 
fathers  from  cloud  and  fire.  Then  the  image 
of  the  girl  still  waiting  before  him  chased 
back  the  surging  blood  from  brain  to  heart. 

Raising  his  sword  with  both  hands,  Adriel 
hurled  it  far  from  him  against  the  figure  of 
the  goddess  at  the  other  end  of  the  apartment, 
and,  throwing  himself  upon  his  face  before 
the  maiden,  he  burst  forth : 

"  Nay !  now  by  the  Ark  of  the  Covenant, 
thou  shalt  slay  me  ere  I  lift  my  hand  against 
thee  to  do  thee  harm ;  or  do  thou  rather  let 
me  spend  what  strength  and  cunning  I  may 
have  in  saving  thee  from  those  who  seek  thy 
life.  Then,  when  thou  art  safe  again  among 
thy  people,  then  thou  shalt  take  my  sword 
and  drive  it  to  the  hilt  into  my  breast." 

"  My  people  ! "  she  murmured  sadly,  while 


THE  ROSE  OF  JERICHO.  65 

her  eyes  wandered  over  the  room  and  the 
prostrate  form  of  her  enemy ;  "  my  people ! 
And  where  are  they  ?  My  father  went  this 
morning  to  the  wall,  and  my  brother  Astary- 
mus  must  have  passed  into  the  presence  of  the 
Queen  of  Heaven,  else  hadst  thou  not  entered 
unto  me.  Nay,"  she  continued,  as  she  beheld 
him  still  prone  before  her,  "Nay,  it  were  bet- 
ter that  thou  shouldst  complete  what  thou 
hast  begun.  I  do  not  fear  the  stroke.  See  ! 
my  neck  is  bare.  Go  thou  and  regain  thy 
sword." 

Then  it  was  that  the  last  shadow  of  the  re- 
proachful faces  of  tribesmen  and  kindred  van- 
ished from  his  mind.  He  sprang  to  his  feet. 
The  stern  and  determined  look  of  the  conflict 
came  again  into  his  eyes.  Taking  one  step 
forward  he  seized  her  by  the  wrist,  and,  plac- 
ing one  hand  on  her  shoulder,  gazed  full 
into  her  eyes.  For  a  moment  it  seemed  as 
though  he  would  search  for  something  in  their 
shadowy  depths.  Then  he  spoke  in  a  voice 
once  more  firm  and  impassioned. 

5 


66  TEE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

"  Hear  me !  Thou  shalt  not  die  !  Yea, 
though  the  Captain  of  Israel  demand  thy 
death.  Thou  art  the  prisoner  of  my  spear 
and  sword,  and  I  will  keep  thy  life,  albeit 
my  own  fail  in  the  task.  Listen,  now !  Do 
thou  hasten  and  bend  down  behind  the  figure 
of  thy  goddess,  that  she  may  at  least  have 
power  to  hide  thee.  I  will  take  measures 
that  no  prying  eyes  shall  seek  thee  there.  Do 
as  I  tell  thee,"  he  added,  as  the  girl  seemed  to 
hesitate  between  his  will  and  her  own  indif- 
ference. "  Dost  thou  hear  me  ?  Thou  shalt 
live." 

He  led  her  unresisting  and  passive  toward 
the  statue,  and,  as  she  crouched  behind  it,  he 
tore  down  a  portion  of  the  dark  hangings  of 
the  room  and  threw  them  carelessly  over  her 
figure.  Then,  resuming  his  sword,  he  took 
his  stand  near  the  entrance  and  listened  in- 
tently for  the  footsteps  of  such  of  his  com- 
rades as  should  wander  in  that  direction. 

He  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  soon  hurried 
steps  and  voices  rang  through  the  vaulted 


THE  ROSE  OF  JERICHO.  67 

passage.  Then  there  were  exclamations  of 
encouragement  as  they  reached  the  foot  of 
the  staircase  and  came  upon  the  body  of  the 
Canaanite. 

"Did  I  not  tell  ye  that  he  passed  this  way? 
See  now  the  mark  of  his  handiwork ! "  ex- 
claimed one. 

There  was  no  time  to  be  lost.  The  glare 
of  the  torches  shone  upon  the  platform,  and, 
pushing  aside  the  hangings,  Adriel  stepped 
out  into  the  light.  A  shout  of  exultation 
greeted  him.  Hastily  forestalling  the  ques- 
tions that  were  on  a  dozen  tongues,  he  asked : 

"  Have  ye  driven  them  from  their  holes  ?  " 

"  We  have  searched  every  nook  and  cranny 
where  a  mouse  could  find  refuge,"  replied  one, 
"  and  except  it  be  in  this  hall,  which  we  have 
but  just  entered,  there  lives  not  one  of  the 
accursed  race." 

"  Then  is  our  work  here  finished,  praise  be 
to  God  !  "  exclaimed  Adriel :  "  for  I  myself 
have  but  just  returned,  as  ye  now  see,  from 
searching  in  this  direction,  nor  found  I  aught 


68  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

except  him  at  the  foot  of  the  staircase.  Come 
now,"  he  continued,  "do  ye  hasten  hence, 
while  I  remain  to  light  the  pile  of  stuffs  which 
I  have  gathered  in  yon  room,  that  the  bodies 
of  the  heathen  may  be  consumed  in  their  dwell- 
ing. I  will  join  you  in  the  street.  Hold ! 
leave  me  thy  torch,  Adoram." 

Taking  the  lighted  torch  from  one  of  the 
soldiers,  Adriel  drew  back  and  listened  to 
their  receding  footfalls  and  watched  the  dying 
light  of  their  flambeaux.-  Then,  as  silence 
again  brooded  over  the  hollow  passage,  he 
hurried  back  to  the  statue  and  drew  away 
the  coverings  that  concealed  his  captive. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

AMONG    THE    FLAMES. 

ISE  up,  maiden !  They  are  gone  ; 
and  it  is  time  that  we  should  think 
of  escape." 

Slowly  she  arose  and  stood  before  him  with 
the  same  calm  look  that  had  first  disarmed 
his  hand. 

"Dost  thou  know,"  he  continued,  "of  any 
avenue,  save  that  through  which  I  came,  to 
lead  us  from  this  chamber  ?  " 

For  a  reply  she  said  nothing,  but,  gliding 
to  the  middle  of  the  room,  kneeled  upon  the 
floor  and  appeared  to  strive  with  some  hidden 
mechanism.  Before  he  could  assist  her  she 
had  touched  a  spring,  when,  with  a  sharp 
click,  a  portion  of  the  flooring  slid  to  one 


70  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

side,  disclosing  another  flight  of  steps  which 
seemed  to  lead  straight  downward  into  the 
very  bowels  of  the  earth. 

She  rose  up  and,  turning  to  the  astonished 
Israelite,  pointed  into  the  pitchy  darkness  of 
the  chasm,  saying,  "  Will  that  serve  thy  pur- 
pose?1' 

Adriel  peered  intently  into  the  gulf  as 
though  he  strove  to  pierce  its  mantle  of 
Egyptian  gloom,  and  for  a  moment  said  noth- 
ing. Despite  his  natural  courage  and  the 
hardihood  of  his  race,  it  was  with  no  thought 
of  satisfaction  that  he  looked  upon  the  way 
of  escape  thus  strangely  laid  open  at  his  bid- 
ding. He  feared  no  man.  The  sword  and 
spear  of  the  Canaanites  had  no  terrors  for 
him;  and  yet — what  enchantments  might  lie 
hidden  in  the  cavern  that  spread  below  the 
penetralia  of  a  demon !  and  could  he  now 
depend  upon  the  protecting  arm  of  a  God, 
whose  express  command  he  was  disobeying 
every  moment,  to  do  battle  for  him  against 
the  gathering  powers  of  darkness  ?  His  mis- 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  71 

trust  of  the  girl  revived.  Though  she  could 
not  be  an  incarnation  of  the  goddess,  and  he 
now  smiled  at  his  credulity  in  ever  harboring 
such  a  thought,  yet  was  it  not  possible  that 
she  should  be  some  priestess  sent  to  snare 
him  into  the  power  of  an  offended  deity  ? 
Turning  again  to  the  girl,  he  questioned  her. 

"  Wherefore  didst  not  thou  and  thy  brother 
seek  refuge  here  when  thou  heardest  our  ap- 
proach ? " 

Meeting  the  suspicious  gaze  of  her  captor 
without  a  tremor,  she  made  answer. 

"  Truly  we  deemed  not  but  that  the  power 
of  Ashtaroth  availed  to  protect  those  who 
sought  her  inner  shrine,  even  against  the  en- 
chantments of  thy  God.  This  secret  passage," 
she  added,  noticing  his  hesitancy  and  half  in- 
terpreting its  import,  "  was  built  years  ago,  as 
my  father  has  told  me,  that  treasure  might  be 
placed  there  and  rest  under  the  protection  of 
the  goddess." 

"  And  its  outer  entrance  ? "  continued  her 
questioner. 


72  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  Is  in  my  father's  chamber." 

"  Then,  in  the  name  of  God,  let  us  go ! " 
exclaimed  Adriel;  "and  let  her  of  the  heif- 
er's head  weave  her  enchantments  as  she 
will." 

Crushing  down  the  remnants  of  distrust^ 
and  holding  his  torch  so  as  to  throw  its  light 
before  him,  Adriel  grasped  his  sword  more 
tightly  and  prepared  to  follow  his  companion, 
who  commenced  the  descent  of  the  stairs,  as 
though  well  acquainted  with  the  path. 

He  had  counted  twelve  steps  when  he 
found  himself  upon  the  floor  of  a  small  cir- 
cular chamber  with  a  low  flat  roof  and  about 
fifteen  feet  in  diameter.  The  light  of  the 
torch  sought  out  the  darkest  corners  of  the 
room,  and  with  its  aid  the  eye  of  the  young 
Israelite  ran  over  an  array  of  metal  vases  and 
baskets  of  wicker-work,  evidently  the  recep- 
tacles of  treasures.  At  last  he  perceived,  at 
that  point  of  the  wall  farthest  from  him,  the 
dark  entrance  of  a  low,  narrow  passage  to- 
ward which  his  companion  bent  her  steps, 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  73 

heedless  of  the  wealth  lying  around,  and,  as 
she  did  so,  beckoned  him  to  follow. 

The  stifling  dampness  of  the  air  almost  ex- 
tinguished the  torch,  which  now  seemed  the 
only  link  binding  them  to  the  world  of  light, 
and  the  wavering  flame  threw  a  flickering 
and  uncertain  gleam,  displaying  the  moist 
walls  of  the  dungeon  in  all  their  repulsive- 
ness,  and  making  his  white-robed  guide  seem 
like  some  ghostly  phantom  sent  by  the  sub- 
terranean gods  to  bring  him,  their  enemy, 
into  their  awful  presence  for  judgment  and 
vengeance.  The  thought  that  the  Jehovah 
of  his  people  had  hidden  his  face  in  anger, 
and  had  surrendered  the  body  of  his  rebell- 
ious servant  into  the  hands  of  the  malignant 
demons  of  the  conquered  race  again  returned 
upon  him  with  all  its  force,  and  for  a  moment 
he  faltered  and  drew  back;  but  pride  soon 
arose  to  do  battle  with  the  powers  of  terror, 
and  murmuring,  as  though  to  encourage  him- 
self, "  Though  thou  leadest  me  before  the 
throne  of  Moloch,  yet  will  I  follow  thee  and 


74  THE  SPELL  OF  ASUTAROTH. 

defy  him  to  his  face  ! "  he  bent  his  head  and 
entered  the  narrow  passage. 

Scarce  five  feet  in  height  and  two  in 
breadth,  with  a  pointed  roof  and  damp,  slimy 
sides  formed  of  huge  blocks  of  rough  stone, 
it  continued  on  and  on  until  the  flickering 
torch,  no  longer  able  to  combat  the  moisture 
that  filled  the  air,  at  last  gasped  once  or 
twice  and  died  out.  As  the  darkness  envel- 
oped him  he  felt  a  soft  hand  seize  his,  now 
well-nigh  trembling  under  the  prolonged 
strain,  and  a  voice  whispered  : 

"  Be  of  good  heart !  I  know  the  way.  Only 
be  wary  lest  thy  foot  slip  upon  the  wet  stones." 

A  sharp  twinge  of  shame  that  his  com- 
panion should  have  discovered  his  faint-heart- 
edness  drove  the  warm  blood  back  into  its 
channels,  and  his  voice  became  steady  once 
more,  as  he  said : 

"Lead  on!" 

"  Have  a  care  now,  Hebrew  !  See  !  Here 
is  a  step !  and  another !  We  have  reached 
the  stair." 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  75 

Slowly  and  cautiously  they  ascended  the 
narrow,  winding  steps — ten,  twenty,  thirty. 
Then  they  paused,  and  the  girl  again  seemed 
to  be  feeling  for  a  hidden  spring.  Suddenly 
a  panel  above  them  slid  back,  and  they 
ascended  and  stood  in  a  spacious  chamber. 

It  had  apparently  been  used  as  a  sleeping 
apartment,  and  that,  too,  of  a  person  of  no 
small  wealth.  Eich  figured  hangings  of  crim- 
son silk  covered  the  walls  and  formed  a 
canopy  over  the  couch ;  but  desolation  had 
left  its  tracks  in  every  direction.  Curtains 
torn  down  and  trampled,  the  bed  overturned, 
and  the  soft  cushions  scattered  in  every  direc- 
tion, with  here  and  there  a  stained  rent  where 
a  bloody  sword  had  been  driven  through 
arras  or  cushion  in  the  vain  search  for  a  hid- 
den foe — all  showed  that  the  conquerors  of 
the  city  had  not  overlooked  the  spot. 

Adriel  stepped  to  a  narrow  window  which 
looked  out  upon  the  street,  and  gazed  forth 
over  the  city.  Night  had  settled  down,  and, 
though  the  flames  were  mounting  up  from 


76  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

many  quarters,  yet  the  comparative  quiet  told 
him  that  the  work  of  death  had  been  well- 
nigh  finished,  and  that  that  of  destruction, 
although  begun,  had  yet  been  partially  de- 
layed until  the  morning,  while  the  armies  of 
Israel  had  for  the  most  part  retired  to  their 
camp  to  rest,  after  the  toil  and  slaughter  of 
the  day.  Then  he  turned  again  to  the 
maiden,  who  stood  gazing  mournfully  at  the 
disorder  around. 

"  Thy  father  evidently  was  not  taken  here, 
else  we  had  seen  surer  signs." 

"  He  went  forth  into  the  city  this  morning, 
as  I  told  thee,  and  I  have  not  seen  him  since," 
she  replied,  sadly. 

Adriel  asked  no  more,  for  he  knew  that 
but  one  fate  could  have  befallen  the  owner  of 
the  house  at  the  hands  of  the  victors;  but, 
turning  the  subject,  he  said  : 

"  Canst  thou  get  aught  to  support  thy  life 
for  a  few  days  ?  for  it  will  be  necessary  for 
thee  to  conceal  thyself  until  the  search  be 
over;  and  we  must  leave  this  place  to  de- 


AMONG   THE  FLAMES.  77 

struction,  that  my  followers  may  see  that  of  a 
truth  I  remained  to  do  that  which  I  said." 

"  Do  thou  wait,  then,  for  me  here ;  I  will 
return  quickly;"  and  before  he  could  reply 
she  had  glided  from  his  presence. 

Her  absence  seemed  but  for  a  few  mo- 
ments, to  his  mind  struggling  in  vain  to  grasp 
and  understand  the  whirl  of  events  that  had 
borne  him  along.  After  the  excitement  of 
beholding  the  mighty  manifestations  of  the 
power  of  the  God  of  Israel,  and  the  grim 
tension  of  the  combat,  or  rather  massacre, 
that  followed,  he  found  himself,  without 
fairly  comprehending  how,  under  the  spell  of 
a  power  more  present  than  the  command  of 
his  God,  more  potent  than  the  ties  of  race 
and  kindred,  and  under  which  he  passively 
resigned  himself  unto  the  bidding  of  a 
woman  of  the  doomed  race,  and  devoted  his 
puny  strength  to  thwarting,  in  her  behalf,  the 
express  will  of  Jehovah. 

He  passed  his  hand  across  his  brow,  as 
though  to  sweep  away  the  web  that  entan- 


78  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

gled  his  thoughts,  and,  as  he  looked  forth 
again,  she  stood  before  him,  her  form  envel- 
oped in  a  mantle  of  some  dark  stuff,  and 
bearing  in  her  hand  a  small  wicker  basket. 

"  Come  !  "  she  said ;  "  I  am  ready." 

At  the  sound  of  the  voice,  Adriel  started 
from  his  reveries,  but  soon  recovered  himself, 
and  said : 

"Go  thou  toward  the  gate;  I  will  follow 
thee  quickly." 

As  she  passed  from  the  room,  he  seized  a 
small  lamp  that  burned  dimly  on  a  tripod, 
and  pouring  the  oil  over  a  pile  of  hangings 
and  cushions,  touched  them  with  the  burning 
wick.  Then,  as  the  flames  started  up,  he 
hurried  out  after  the  girl,  and  together  they 
sped  through  a  narrow  hall  and  down  a  flight 
of  marble  steps  to  a  small  arched  gateway, 
which  fell  open  at  her  touch ;  and  passing 
through  it,  Adriel  once  more  found  himself 
in  the  street ;  not  that  from  which  he  had 
entered  the  building,  but  one  much  narrower, 
and  evidently  on  another  side. 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  79 

Here  his  captive  again  halted  and,  turning 
to  him,  asked : 

"Whither  will  my  lord  go  ? " 

Here  was  a  grave  question — one  not  hith- 
erto considered,  and  yet  of  the  most  immedi- 
ate importance.  Up  to  this  point  he  had 
been  as  in  a  dream,  and  had  acted  on  a  series 
of  impulses,  without  any  consideration  of 
what  was  to  follow  after.  First,  his  spirit 
had  revolted  at  the  idea  of  putting  to  the 
sword  a  being  so  beautiful.  Then  came  the 
impulse  to  save  her  even  at  the  peril  of  join- 
ing battle  with  Jehovah,  but  without  any  set- 
tled idea  of  how  the  end  was  to  be  accom- 
plished. After  that  came  the  doubts  and 
superstitious  fears  induced  by  his  mysterious 
surroundings  ;  and  now  he  stood  alone  with 
his  charge  in  the  streets  of  a  half-ruined  and 
burning  city,  peopled  only  with  the  dead  and 
here  and  there  a  wandering  band  of  zealots, 
whose  thirst  for  blood  even  darkness  and 
fatigue  could  not  subdue. 

His  purpose  with  regard  to  the  Canaanite 


80  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

did  not  waver,  but  he  knew  that  the  time 
for  impulses  had  passed  and  that  his  future 
acts  must  be  guided  by  a  settled  plan,  and 
that,  too,  a  well-laid  one.  He  congratulated 
himself  that  he  had  at  least  exercised  the 
foresight  to  bid  her  make  provision  against 
hunger,  and,  that  danger  removed,  he  soon 
decided  iipon  the  next  step  to  be  taken.  He 
must  find  some  spot  which  would  afford  con- 
cealment until  the  search  for  victims  should 
cease.  This  surely  was  an  immediate  neces- 
sity. Beyond  lay  an  unknown  region  cloaked 
in  cloud  and  mist,  into  which  the  eye  strove 
in  vain  to  penetrate. 

"In  what  direction  lies  the  poorer  part  of 
the  city  ? "  he  asked,  suddenly. 

For  answer  she  pointed  toward  the  west. 

"Then  it  is  thither  we  must  go."  And 
taking  her  by  the  hand,  he  threaded  his 
cautious  way  up  the  narrow  street,  with  eye 
watchful  to  detect  any  sign  of  the  presence 
of  lingering  Israelites,  an  appearance  more 
fraught  with  danger  to  him  now  than  an 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  81 

array  of  the  men  of  Canaan ;  on,  between 
burning  buildings  and  spots  where  a  few 
faint,  dying  embers,  sparkling  amid  ruins  and 
ashes,  alone  marked  where  stately  palaces 
had  but  lately  stood ;  on,  over  heaps  of  rub- 
bish and  ghastly  corpses,  which  his  compan- 
ion turned  from  with  shuddering  horror. 

Adriel,  as  they  passed  along,  had  examined 
several  places  which  appeared  to  afford  the 
refuge  for  which  he  sought;  but  had  left  them 
all  as  too  exposed  or  too  harsh  for  his  pur- 
pose, until  at  last  his  eye  fell  upon  a  little  hut 
standing  back  from  the  street,  and  half  cov- 
ered and  concealed  by  the  ruins  of  a  large 
edifice,  evidently  a  temple,  which  had  stood 
close  by  it.  Several  pillars  had  fallen 
directly  across  the  roof,  and  would  have 
crushed  it  to  the  ground  but  for  its  small 
dimensions  and  the  solid  character  of  its 
masonry.  As  it  was,  it  was  hardly  distin- 
guishable from  the  destruction  which  lay 
around. 

Adriel  entered  through  the  low  doorway, 


82  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

and,  partly  by  touch,  partly  by  the  aid  of 
such  moonlight  as  fell  through  the  narrow 
slits  of  windows,  satisfied  himself  that  there 
were  no  inmates,  living  or  dead,  and  that  a 
low  couch  was  spread  in  one  corner.  The 
walls  were  simply  rough  blocks  of  stone  and 
the  roof  a  broad,  flat  monolith.  Nothing 
could  have  been  simpler  than  its  architecture. 

Stepping  to  the  door,  he  beckoned  the  girl 
to  enter,  and,  pointing  to  the  couch,  said  : 

"  Here  mayst  thou  rest,  I  trust,  in  safety. 
Thou  hast  food,  so  that  thou  needst  not  ven- 
ture forth,  and  I  charge  thee  that  thou  seek 
not  light,  which  can  do  naught  but  guide 
thine  enemies  to  thee.  Take  this  dagger,''  he 
added,  pressing  the  weapon  into  her  hand, 
"and,  shouldst  thou  be  discovered,  thou 
knowest  how  to  put  it  to  a  use  which  thy 
gods  do  not  forbid.  As  for  me,  it  is  not  safe 
nor  wise  that  I  should  remain.  Perad venture 
even  now  they  will  be  searching  for  me,  and 
the  chance  of  thy  discovery  will  be  the  greater. 
Trust  me  to  devise  means  for  thy  final  escape, 


AMONG  THE  FLAMES.  83 

and  to  return  to  thee  as  soon  as  caution  will 
permit.  Dost  thou  understand,  maiden,  and 
wilt  thou  swear  to  me  that  thou  wilt  be 
guided  by  what  I  have  said  and  wilt  wait  my 
coming  again  ? " 

"I  have  heard  thy  words,  son  of  Israel,  I 
understand  them,  and  I  will  obey  thy  com- 
mands." 

She  spoke  in  the  same  low,  clear  voice  that 
had  thrilled  him  when  she  first  bade  him 
strike. 

Gazing  fixedly  upon  the  beautiful  face, 
over  which  a  single  ray  of  moonlight,  stealing 
through  a  narrow  window,  played  furtively, 
Adriel  crushed  down  the  fierce  impulse  that 
swelled  in  his  bosom — an  impulse  which  bade 
him  clasp  her  in  his  arms — and,  turning, 
passed  through  the  doorway  and  set  his  face 
toward  the  camp  of  Israel. 


CHAPTER   VII. 


THE    TENTS    OF    TRIUMPH. 

Adriel  drew  near  to  the  earthen 
rampart,  although  it  was  nigh  unto 
the  morning  watch,  a  volume  of 
sound  rolled  toward  him :  the  songs  of 
the  women  who  danced  in  triumph,  the  call 
of  the  trumpets  summoning  in  the  stragglers, 
and  the  hoarse  voices  of  the  soldiers  as  they 
recognized  their  companions  or  strove  each 
to  relate  his  tale  of  dangers  braved  and  de- 
struction wrought  upon  the  common  foe. 

Then  he  noticed  a  small  party  armed  cap- 
a-pie  issuing  out  of  the  western  gate  of  the 
camp  and  bending  their  steps  toward  the  city. 
A  shout  told  him  he  was  recognized,  and  a 
boy  sprang  out  from  the  group  and,  rushing 


THE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH.  85 

forward,  threw  his  arms  about  his  neck  with 
mingled  exclamations  and  sobs  of  joy.  It 
was  Abiathar;  and  then  came  Achan,  his 
father,  and  Sethur,  his  brother,  together  with 
Ozias,  and  behind  them  servants  bearing 
torches. 

"  Of  a  truth,  boy,"  said  Ozias,  when  the  first 
greetings  were  over,  "we  feared  lest  thou 
hadst  fallen  in  the  ruins  and  might'st  be  in 
need  of  aid — or  sepulture." 

"  Thou  didst  not  well,"  spoke  Achan,  in  a 
voice  of  reproof ;  "  thou  didst  not  well  to 
linger  and  fill  us  with,  the  dread  that  thou 
hadst  suffered  death." 

But  Abiathar  broke  in  upon  reproof  and 
greeting  with,  "  Come  now,  let  me  lead  thee 
to  Miriam,  for  she  does  naught  but  weep 
since  the  people  began  to  return  and  thou 
earnest  not  with  them ; "  and,  dragging  him 
from  the  embraces  and  questions  of  the  rest, 
he  led  the  way  toward  the  tents.  Adriel  fol- 
lowed passive,  powerless  to  resist,  but  with  a 
strange  feeling  in  his  heart  that  leaped  not 


86  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

at  the  thought  of  approaching  his  beloved, 
and  yet  half  wondered  at  its  own  sluggish- 
ness. As  they  reached  the  entrance  of  the 
tent,  Abiathar  shouted  : 

"  Arouse  thee,  Miriam  !  Behold,  I  bring 
Adriel  back  to  thee  safe  and  sound." 

Then,  as  a  pale,  tear-stained  face  appeared 
at  the  aperture,  Abiathar,  with  a  quizzical 
smile,  added,  "I  will  wait  for  thee  in  thy 
tent,  Adriel  ; "  and,  turning  on  his  heel, 
danced  away  into  the  darkness,  whence  in  a 
moment  shouts  of  laughter  broke  upon  the 
ears  of  the  two  thus  unceremoniously  de- 
serted. 

"Adriel,  is  it  thou  ?  " 

The  girl  spoke  timidly,  as  she  stepped  out 
from  the  shelter  of  the  tent.  "  Truly  I — we 
feared  lest  the  evil  spirits  of  the  temples  of 
Canaan  had  seized  thee  for  their  own." 

"  Verily  they  have  seized  upon  me,"  were 
the  words  that  passed  through  his  thoughts, 
but  all  he  said  was  : 

"  Yea,  Miriam,  it  is  I." 


TEE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH.  87 

Where  could  be  situation  more  to  be  de- 
sired by  ardent  lover?  They  were  alone. 
The  friendly  spirits  of  the  night  had  thrown 
sheltering  shadows  over  the  scene,  and  the 
stars  alone  beheld  them,  the  stars  whose 
voices  might  in  vain  strive  to  pierce  the  veil 
of  distance  and  tell  their  story  into  the  ears 
of  men.  Moreover  he  stood  there  a  professed 
lover  with  his  mistress  before  him,  the  shield 
of  maidenly  reserve  torn  from  before  her 
heart  by  the  force  of  an  emotion  which  she 
vainly  endeavored  to  conceal — an  emotion 
stirred  by  fear  for  his  safety.  Could  he 
imagine  for  a  moment  that  if  he  clasped  her 
in  his  arms  she  had  then  the  power  to  re- 
sist him  ?  Could  he  doubt  that  he  would 
obtain  the  truth  from  her  lips,  and  that  the 
truth  would  promise  him  all  that  his  soul  had 
ever  aspired  to  ?  And  yet  he  stood  and 
gazed  and  spake  not  a  word  except  ''Yea, 
Miriam,  it  is  I,"  while  the  precious  moments 
fled  swiftly  away,  and  maidenly  self-control 
regained  the  sceptre  of  the  soul,  strengthened 


88  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

by  the  remembrance  of  her  past  defenceless- 
ness,  and  unconsciously  aggrieved  by  the 
sluggishness  of  the  assailant.  Thus  the  for- 
tunate moments  passed.  Now  they  were 
gone,  and  Miriam  spoke  again  in  a  clear, 
laughing  voice : 

"  Ashtaroth  did  not  make  love  to  thee  then, 
and  take  thee  away  to  be  her  high-priest  in 
some  grove  or  temple  on  the  hill-tops  ?  And 
the  maidens  of  Israel  may  once  more  adorn 
themselves  with  ornaments  of  gold  and  silver  2 
Verily,  I  have  never  seen  such  mourning 
throughout  the  camp  as  upon  this  eve  of  tri- 
umph when  thou  earnest  not  back  among  the 
victors  ! " 

Her  words  grated  harshly  on  his  ears.  He 
recognized  the  opportunity  that  had  passed. 
He  was  conscious  of  and  half  regretted  his 
backwardness,  and  yet  he  felt  that  a  recur- 
rence of  the  situation  would  find  him  as  help- 
less as  before.  It  was  necessary  to  say 
something,  and,  driven  by  this  feeling,  he 
began : 


THE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH.  89 

"  Of  a  truth,  Miriam,  I  knew  not  that  the 
night  had  advanced  so  far  and  that  our 
people  were  returning.  My  pursuit  had  well- 
nigh  carried  rne  over  the  western  wall  of  the 
city,  and  there  was  much  to  be  done  that 
Jehovah  might  have  the  greater  glory.  I  am 
sorry  that  thou  hast  feared  for  me." 

"/feared  for  thee!"  she  replied;  "nay,  it 
was  for  thine  enemies  that  I  shed  tears.  I 
warrant  me  thou  hast  slain  them  all,  else 
would  st  thou  now  be  climbing  the  western 
heights  in  pursuit  of  some  terror-stricken 
fugitive.  Nay,  nay;  I  knew  thy  skill  and 
valor  and  the  temper  of  the  Moabite's  helmet 
too  well  to  fear  for  thy  safety." 

"  Thou  art  merry.  I  looked  for  a  wanner 
greeting  from  thee." 

"  And  who  knows  but  that  thou  mightest 
have  found  it,  hadst  thou  considered  my  fears 
before  thy  desire  to  be  foremost  in  the  work 
of  death." 

"But,  Miriam,  remember  the  command  of 
the  Captain." 


90  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  Did  he  command  that  thou  shouldst  let 
the  dreams  of  slaughter  drive  all  other  recol- 
lections from  thy  mind,  even  after  thou  hadst 
seen  fit  to  return  ?  " 

Stung  by  her  implied  reproach,  and  even 
more  by  his  own  consciousness  of  its  justice, 
a  justice  of  the  extent  of  which  the  girl  could 
never  dream,  he  tried  to  murmur  a  few  phrases 
of  excuse,  half  unintelligible  in  his  increasing 
confusion.  Then,  breaking  off  in  disgust  with 
himself,  he  said : 

"  I  will  return  to  thee  again,  Miriam,  when 
thou  art  more  ready  to  welcome  me,"  and, 
turning,  strode  away,  while  the  girl  stood 
gazing  after  him  into  the  darkness,  swayed 
by  contending  tides  of  indignation  and  tears. 

Adriel  reached  his  tent,  wretched  amid  the 
rejoicing  host  around  him.  Moodily  he  threw 
back  the  flap  and  entered  within,  where  the 
dim  light  of  a  small  lamp  showed  him 
Abiathar,  the  weight  of  sleep  heavy  upon 
his  eyelids,  yet  up  and  waiting  for  his 
return. 


THE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH.  91 

With  officious  zeal  the  boy  unlaced  the 
armor  of  the  weary  soldier,  assailing  him  the 
while  with  innumerable  questions  mingled 
with  sly  innuendoes  respecting  the  reasons  for 
his  reticence.  Adriel  answered  the  questions 
with  sharp  monosyllables,  for  the  jests  of  his 
admirer  only  added  to  his  irritation,  until,  re- 
leased at  last  from  the  confining  bonds  of  brass 
and  iron,  he  threw  himself  upon  his  bed  of 
skins,  with  a  gruff  admonition  to  Abiathar 
that  he  should  not  disturb  him. 

The  boy,  abashed  at  the  rebuff,  relapsed 
into  a  grumbling  silence  and  from  that  into 
sleep ;  but  to  Adriel,  as  he  lay  tossing  from 
side  to  side  of  his  restless  couch,  sleep  was  a 
boon  for  which  he  sought  in  vain.  All  the 
events  of  the  past  day  whirled  around  him 
confused  and  distorted  like  the  phantasmago- 
ria of  a  dream.  Could  it  be  that  he  really 
loved  this  woman  of  the  accursed  race,  with 
her  calm,  proud  brow  and  deep,  mysterious 
eyes ;  or  had  the  false  gods,  into  whose  pene- 
tralia he  had  forced  his  way,  wound  their  spells 


92  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

around  his  soul  and  sent  that  lovely  vision  to 
chase  from  his  heart  his  God,  his  people,  and 
his  former  love  ?  He  could  not  tell ;  and  yet 
the  reality  of  the  Canaanite  was  firmly  im- 
pressed upon  his  mind,  and,  were  she  mortal 
woman  or  creature  of  enchantment,  hers  was 
the  power  and  his  the  subjection.  Then, 
again,  Miriam  stood  before  him.  The  thought 
of  her  beauty,  and  the  professions  he  had 
made  to  her,  flooded  his  being  and  drove  the 
iron  of  dejection  and  self-condemnation  deep 
down  into  his  spirit.  Beyond  a  question,  her 
empire  had  withered  beneath  the  blight  of 
the  Canaanite's  eyes. 

But  over  and  pervading  all  other  thoughts 
presided  the  consciousness  of  a  sublime  Pres- 
ence, a  mighty  face  darkened  and  turned 
away  from  him  in  anger.  In  vain  he  buried 
his  tightly  closed  eyes  in  the  coverings  of  his 
couch.  No  material  veil  could  shut  out  the 
all-piercing  essence  of  an  incensed  Jehovah, 
and  Adriel  writhed  in  terror  until  the  damp- 
ness sprang  forth  upon  his  brow  to  relieve  the 


THE  TENTS  OF  TRIUMPH.  93 

agony  of  his  surcharged  feelings.  Soldier 
though  he  was,  and  born  and  bred  to  the 
dangers  of  the  desert  and  the  sword,  yet  be- 
fore the  vague  and  shadowy  form  of  the 
mysterious  One  whom  his  race  worshipped, 
a  superstitious  dread  of  aroused  resentment 
could  not  fail  to  overcome  the  most  stubborn 
human  courage.  More  than  once  the  man 
wavered  under  the  strong  emotions  that  rent 
him,  and  had  half  composed  himself  with 
mind  resolved  to  shake  off  the  strange  chains 
and  to  strive  to  atone  for  his  past  offence  by 
a  future  of  the  fiercest  and  most  unwavering 
zeal.  But  still  a  subtle  influence,  which  he 
strove  in  vain  to  analyze,  checked  the  falling 
scale  ere  it  reached  the  limit,  and  caused  it 
first  to  tremble  in  the  balance  and  then  to 
mount  again  up,  up,  until  his  mind,  soaring 
far  above  consciousness  of  duty  and  fear  of 
divine  vengeance,  yielded  itself  completely 
to  its  new  bonds,  soft  and  pleasing  as  roses, 
and  yet  sturdier  than  brass. 

So  the  night  wore  slowly  along  and  deep 


94 


THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH, 


strove  in  vain  to  sprinkle  her  balm  of  pop- 
pies into  his  weary  eyes,  and  the  stars 
faded  one  by  one  from  the  heavens,  and  the 
moon  descended  behind  the  mountains  of 
Abarim. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE    COUNCIL. 

T  was  morning — morning  following  a 
night  of  triumphant  horror.  The 
victorious  invaders  were  scattered 
throughout  the  camp  or  in  their  tents,  resting 
after  the  toilsome  day,  or  mayhap  giving  heed 
to  such  wounds  as  had  fallen  to  their  lot.  A 
few  unwearied  zealots  had  gone  to  the  ruins 
to  complete  the  destruction  of  the  remaining 
temples  and  palaces. 

In  the  open  space  before  the  Tabernacle, 
which  stood  in  the  centre  of  the  sea  of  tents, 
was  gathered  a  grave  conclave  of  the  princes 
of  Israel. 

Joshua,  stripped  of  his  glittering  arms  and 
clad  in  tunic  and  mantle,  seemed  like  some 


96  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

sage  counsellor  rather  than  the  fierce  warrior 
of  the  previous  day.  He  reclined  against  his 
shield,  his  head  sunk  upon  his  breast,  as 
though  his  mind  strove  to  sound  some  deep 
channel  of  troubled  thought. 

Beside  him  sat  Eleazer,  also  silent  and 
thoughtful,  and  around  them  were  gathered 
the  captains,  who  whispered  one  to  another, 
and  waited  until  they  should  hear  from  the 
lips  of  the  son  of  Nun  the  reason  of  their 


summomno;. 

O 


Some  distance  back,  crowds  of  the  people 
stood  in  respectful  silence,  and  gazed  upon 
the  gathering  of  those  whose  judgment 
decided  the  policy  of  the  nation,  and  whose 
swords  were  foremost  against  its  enemies. 

O 

At  length  Joshua  spoke : 

"  Princes  of  Israel !  Ye  have  been  summoned 
together  that  we  might  take  counsel  and  de- 
cide what  step  shall  next  be  taken  for  the 
conquest  of  the  land  marked  out  as  an  inher- 
itance for  our  tribes.  The  past  has  been  full 
of  glory,  and  our  enemies  tremble  before  the 


THE  COUNCIL.  97 

might  of  our  God.  Their  cities  are  shaken  to 
the  very  foundations,  and  their  carcasses  shall 
fatten  the  ground  that  our  vines  may  bear 
fruit  the  more  abundantly.  Let  him  now 
who  will  speak,  and  may  his  words  be  words 
of  wisdom." 

As  he  finished,  he  turned  toward  Eleazer, 
to  whom,  both  on  account  of  his  age  and  his 
exalted  position,  belonged  the  precedence  of 
speech. 

The  high-priest  rose  and,  stretching  out  his 
hands,  exclaimed : 

"May  the  God  of  our  fathers  teach  ye, 
princes  of  Israel,  the  wisdom  that  shall  give 
us  speedy  victory.  As  for  me,  I  deem  it 
matters  not  which  course  we  take,  saving 
only  that  we  act  quickly  and  give  God  the 
glory.  Let  the  men  of  war  devise  their  plans, 
and  doubt  not  that  the  choosing  shall  be 
blessed." 

He  ceased,  and  Caleb  rose,  while  the  chief- 
tains bent  attentive  ears  that  they  should 
hear  the  words  of  one  who,  in  judgment  and 


98  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

military  skill,  ranked   only  next   to   Joshua 
himself. 

"  Let  the  men  of  Israel  listen  !  "  he  began. 
"  It  is  well  said  that  whithersoever  we  go 
there  shall  we  conquer  and  sweep  our  enemies 
from  before  us.  Therefore,  we  should  con- 
sider the  way  that  shall  soonest  end  our 
labors.  Let  us  not  spread  ourselves  over  the 
country  to  spoil  it,  like  locusts ;  for  do  we  not 
thereby  make  the  heritage  of  less  value  when 
it  shall  come  into  our  hands  ?  but,  swerving 
neither  to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left,  let 
us  make  battle  against  and  overthrow  the 
fenced  cities,  staying  our  hands  only  to  de- 
stroy such  rash  peoples  as  shall  dare  to  come 
against  us  in  the  field.  Thus  shall  we  gain 
possession  of  the  land,  and  the  peoples  thereof 
shall  not  find  where  to  hide  them  from  the 
wrath  of  our  God.  It  has  been  said  that  half 
a  day's  journey  toward  the  north  and  west, 
through  passes  of  the  mountains,  lies  a  city 
strong  and  warlike.  This  should  we  smite 
next,  and  that  we  may  not  strike  blindly, 


THE  COUNCIL.  99 

let  it  please  my  lord  to  send  spies,  that 
they  may  look  upon  the  city,  and  bring  us 
news  of  the  strength  of  its  walls  and  of  the 
number  of  fighting  men  who  can  take  up 
spear  in  its  defence." 

A  loud  shout  of  acclaim  greeted  him  as  he 
resumed  his  place  among  the  chiefs  reclining 
on  the  grass. 

Joshua  paused  and,  glancing  his  eye  around 
the  bearded  circle,  asked : 

"Do  ye  all  think  well  of  his  words ?" 

A  murmur  of  assent  went  round. 

"  So  be  it,  then  ! "  exclaimed  the  Captain, 
"  and  do  thou,  Caleb,  select  two  men  swift  of 
foot  and  ready  of  speech,  and  instruct  them 
that  they  shall  do  even  as  thou  spakest." 

Joshua  arose,  as  a  signal  that  the  council 
was  over,  and  passed  to  his  tent,  while  the 
captains  went  out  into  the  camp  or  lingered 
to  speak  of  the  years  of  warfare  that  lay  be- 
fore them.  Caleb,  however,  turned  to  Ozias 
and  said : 

"Go  thou,  Ozias,  and  fetch  me  two  men 


100  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

such  as  the  Captain  spoke  of,  that  I  may  speak 
with  them  and  send  them  forth." 

"  My  lord,"  replied  Ozias,  "  I  will  do  as 
thou  commandest.  I  will  bring  to  thee 
Adriel,  the  son  of  Achan,  of  the  tribe  of 
Judah,  and  Zithri,  the  Benjaminite." 

Ozias  strode  swiftly  away,  while  Caleb 
stood  awaiting  his  return. 

The  delay  was  short,  for  the  chieftain  soon 
saw  his  captain  returning  with  two  com- 
panions. The  face  of  Ozias  was  troubled  as 
he  drew  near  and  he  spoke  hesitatingly. 

"  This,  my  lord,"  he  said  as  he  pointed  to 
a  rugged  soldier,  "  is  that  Zithri  of  whom  I 
spoke,  and  this  is  Sethur,  the  brother  of 
Adriel,  who  is  sick  with  a  fever  in  his  tent 
and  is  not  tit  to  go  forth  upon  so  perilous  a 
mission.  These  two  will  do  whatsoever  thou 
commandest  them." 

So  saying,  he  withdrew;  leaving  Caleb  to 
instruct  his  messengers,  and,  with  head  upon 
his  breast,  walked  slowly  toward  the  tents  of 
Judah. 


THE  COUNCIL.  101 

"  Strange  !  It  is  strange,"  he  murmured  to 
himself  as  in  deep  thought,  "that  the  boy 
should  object  so  strongly  against  such  a  ser- 
vice. I  know  well  that  he  has  courage  that 
stops  at  nothing.  The  physician  must  look 
to  him,  for  I  would  not  that  evil  should  befall 
him." 

Thus  communing  with  himself,  he  reached 
his  tent  and  entered;  for  the  mid-day  sun 
was  poised  above  the  camp  which  the  hot 
rays  seemed  almost  to  devour.  He  called 
Abiathar  to  him. 

"  Tell  me,  boy,"  he  asked,  "  how  fares  it 
with  Adriel?  If  I  mistake  not  thou  wert 
there  when  I  spake  to  him  but  just  now." 
Abiathar  hung  his  head  and  replied  : 

"  Of  a  truth,  my  father,  I  cannot  tell  thee, 
save  that  he  tosses  from  side  to  side  of  his 
couch  and  doth  not  sleep ;  yet  he  ref  useth  to 
come  forth,  and  speaks  harshly  when  I  ven- 
ture to  disturb  him  with  questions."  Ozias 
looked  grave,  but  he  only  replied  : 

"  It  is  well,  boy.    Do  thou  see  that  he  lacks 


102  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

for  nothing.  His  brother  has  gone  forth 
under  the  command  of  Caleb;  and  Achan 
himself  hath  seemed  to  me  of  late  to  be 
troubled  and  to  give  small  heed  to  those 
things  which  might  well  employ  him." 

Abiathar  signified  assent  and  glided  out, 
while  old  Ozias  reclined  upon  his  couch  and 
rested ;  but  his  mind  was  troubled  and  filled 
with  forebodings  of  vague  and  formless  peril. 


CHAPTER   IX. 


THE    SECOND    NIGHT. 

HEN  the  swiftly  gathering  darkness 
of  the  night  had  spread  itself 
through  the  Hebrew  camp,  Adriel 
arose  and,  wrapped  in  a  rough  mantle  with 
the  end  drawn  over  his  head  so  as  to  shade 
his  face  from  the  gaze  of  inquisitive  friends, 
stepped  forth  unobserved.  He  had  dismissed 
Abiathar  early  in  the  evening  under  the  pre- 
tence that  his  presence  disturbed  his  rest,  a 
reason  which,  shallow  as  it  might  be,  the  boy 
could  not  but  regard ;  and  now,  with  no 
weapon  of  offence  or  defence  other  than  his 
sword  which,  together  with  a  bottle  of  wine 
and  some  dates,  lay  concealed  under  his 
cloak,  Adriel  threaded  his  cautious  path  until 


104  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

he  reached  the  rampart,  and,  crossing  it, 
pursued  his  way  over  the  plain  toward  the 
ruins  of  the  fallen  city. 

As  he  drew  near  he  quickened  his  pace,  for 
the  sounds  he  heard  drove  the  blood  back 
upon  his  heart  and  well-nigh  froze  him  with 
horror.  It  was  the  howling  of  wolves  and 
dogs;  wolves  that  had  descended  from  the 
mountains  drawn  by  the  scent  of  carrion,  and 
dogs  which,  with  none  to  feed  them,  were 
driven  to  dine  off  those  who  had  been  their 
masters ;  and  now  dog  and  wolf  howled, 
snarled,  and  fought  over  the  dainty  banquet 
so  richly  spread  for  them. 

Adriel  was  now  running  at  full  speed.  He 
had  not  thought  of  his  captive  being  exposed 
to  such  a  danger,  and  the  horror  of  it  pierced 
his  very  soul. 

Climbing  over  the  ruined  wall,  he  sped  up 
one  of  the  narrow  streets,  scattering  wolf  and 
dog  in  his  mad  race,  and,  as  he  turned  a  sharp 
corner,  he  suddenly  burst  upon  a  band  of 
robbers  who  had  come  down  from  the  moun- 


THE  SECOND  NIGHT.  105 

tains  to  seek  such  plunder  as  the  invaders 
might  have  left.  They  were  sitting  in  a  cir- 
cle, evidently  dividing  their  gains,  when  this 
apparition  bounded  into  the  midst  of  them ; 
but  ere  they  had  sprung  to  their  feet  and 
grasped  their  weapons  he  was  gone. 

"  It  is  a  spirit  of  the  dead ! "  said  their 
leader  in  trembling  tones,  and,  hastily  gath- 
ering up  their  booty,  they  made  haste  to 
regain  their  fastnesses. 

The  thought  that  wolf  and  dog  were  aided 
by  such  allies  lent  new  wings  to  Adriel's  speed 
until,  with  redoubled  exertion,  he  at  last 
reached  the  Imt,  and,  fainting  and  breathless 
sought  its  entrance. 

A  door  formed  of  a  single  slab  of  stone 
working  on  pivots,  and  which  he  did  not  re- 
member having  noticed  before,  now  closed  the 
aperture.  Within  all  was  stilL 

Adriel's  heart  sank  within  him  and  for  a 
moment  he  scarce  gathered  courage  to  knock 
or  speak.  At  last  he  placed  his  shoulder  to 
the  door,  swung  it  back,  and  entered. 


106  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Standing  a  moment  until  he  became  accus- 
tomed to  the  darkness,  he  saw  the  girl  lying 
upon  the  couch  and  gazing  at  him  with  her 
great  sad  eyes.  Then  she  rose. 

"  Is  it  thou,  my  lord  ? "  she  said.  "  I  knew 
not  whether  it  might  be  one  of  thy  people  or 
some  robber  from  the  west  who  sought  for  me." 

Adriel  shuddered. 

"  And  what  if  it  had  been  ? "  he  asked. 

"I  should  have  preferred  the  former.  It 
would  have  meant  no  more  than  death,'1  she 
answered  simply,  "  and  the  wolves  to  either, 
for  the  door  is  strong  enough  for  them.  Had 
it  been  but  one  man,"  she  resumed,  with 
slow  decision,  "  perchance  I  could  have  struck 
him  down  with  the  dagger  ere  his  eyes  had 
seen  me  in  the  darkness,  and  had  there  been 
more,  it  were  but  the  work  of  an  instant  to 
make  their  capture  a  vain  one." 

He  looked  at  her  in  admiration  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  then,  throwing  back  his  mantle, 
drew  forth  the  supplies  he  had  brought  with 
him  and  set  them  before  her,  saying : 


THE  SECOND  NIGHT.  107 

"  See,  I  have  stolen  from  the  camp  to  bring 
thee  these,  that  thou  mightest  not  want  while 
thou  art  forced  to  remain  here." 

"  And  for  how  long  will  that  be  ? "  she 
asked. 

"  I  know  not,"  answered  Adriel  hurriedly. 
"  Perchance  until  they  move  the  camp  up 
into  the  country,  when  thou  mayest  escape 
with  safety  toward  the  south.  Tell  me,"  he 
continued,  as  though  to  forestall  her  pressing 
the  inquiry  on  a  subject  which  could  not  but 
call  to  mind  the  difficulties  of  his  enterprise — 
difficulties  which  he  dreaded  to  contemplate — 
"tell  me  something  of  thyself  and  people. 
There  is  short  time  when  I  can  safely  remain 
here,  and  I  would  fain  learn  who  thou  art." 

For  a  moment  the  girl  was  silent,  and 
seemed  to  struggle  to  keep  down  the  tears 
that  threatened  to  appear.  Then  she  turned 
to  Adriel. 

"  There  is  little  for  me  to  tell,"  she  said. 
"Doubtless  thou  hast  heard  of  the  mighty 
Kara-in-das,  the  king  who  rules  far  away  to 


108  TEE  SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 

the  east  in  Babylon,  a  city  to  which  my  fa- 
ther has  told  me  that  this  Jericho  was  but  a 
hovel.  Thence  was  it  that  my  father  came 
hither  years  ago  on  a  mission  from  our  great 
king,  that  he  should  send  him  word  how  that 
matters  went  upon  the  coast,  and  should 
attend  that  caravans  from  the  East  received 
due  hospitality.  My  brother  was  then  very 
young,  and  I  first  saw  the  light  here. 

"  For  many  years  Urukh,  my  father,  kept 
hoping  that  he  would  be  recalled  to  Babylon, 
the  city  he  loved;  but  when  the  king  sent 
word  that  he  should  remain  and  build  him  a 
palace  suitable  for  the  envoy  of  so  great  a 
monarch,  he  composed  himself  to  a  life  of 
honored  exile,  and  all  he  saw  of  home  was 
when  he  would  tell  me  tales  of  the  grandeur 
of  the  great  city;  of  her  walls  and  palaces 
and  temples  and  hanging-gardens;  of  the 
wealth  and  might  of  her  kings ;  of  the  num- 
bers and  valor  of  her  warriors,  and  of  their 
coats  of  mail,  and  black,  curled  beards ;  the 
beauty  of  her  women,  the  power  of  the  gods 


THE  SECOND  NIGHT.  109 

that  kept  guard  over  her  safety,  and  how  the 
people  worshipped  them  with  great  festivals 
and  sacrifices.  Had  I  sacrificed  to  Ashtaroth 
after  the  manner  our  maidens  are  compelled 
to  do  in  Babylon,  perchance  evil  fortune  had 
not  befallen  us,  and  I  should  not  now  be  the 
captive  of  thy  hand." 

"  Rather,"  replied  Adriel  quickly,  "  am  I 
thine.  For  do  I  not  peril  my  life  that  thou 
mayest  escape  ? " 

"  And  I  have  told  thee  it  were  a  foolish 
act." 

"  Of  that  I  must  judge,"  said  he  proudly ; 
and  then,  as  though  to  change  the  trend  of 
her  thoughts,  "  thou  hast  told  me  thy  fa- 
ther's name,  maiden,  but  I  know  not  yet  what 
is  thine." 

"  I  am  called  Elissa." 

"  It  is  a  name  we  know  not  among  my  peo- 
ple," he  said  absently,  "  but  it  soundeth  mu- 
sical in  mine  ear ;  "  and  then  he  fell  to  mus- 
ing, with  eyes  fast  fixed  on  vacancy. 

At    length,  arousing    himself    as    though 


110  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

from  a  dream,  and  springing  nastily  up,  he 
said : 

"I  must  leave  thee  now,  else  they  may 
miss  me  in  the  camp,  and  questions  be  asked 
that  it  were  difficult  for  me  to  reply  to.  Do 
thou  keep  thy  door  fast  shut  as  a  guard 
against  beasts.  Men,  I  am  persuaded,  thou 
needest  not  fear.  The  robber  would  give 
this  hut  no  second  glance ;  only  be  thou 
wary.  I  will  return  to  thee  again." 

He  was  gone,  and  the  girl,  once  more  alone 
with  her  thoughts  in  the  midst  of  that  ghast- 
ly solitude,  strove  to  kill  the  feeling  of  utter 
despair  that  surged  up  in  her  heart  and  made 
the  events  of  the  preceding  days  seem  like 
a  huge  dream  that  must  melt  away  at  the 
rising  of  the  morning  sun. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE    SUMMONS    TO    BATTLE. 

ZIAS  lay  sleeping  upon  his  couch  as 
the  night  wore  on  into  the  morning 
watch. 

Of  a  sudden  he  became  conscious  of  men 
entering  his  tent  and  standing  beside  him,  and, 
springing  quickly  up,  he  sought  instinctively 
for  the  sword  that  hung  near  his  head. 
.  But  a  well-known  voice  exclaimed,  "  Peace 
be  with  thee,  Ozias ! "  while  another  said : 

"Hold,  father;  it  is  Achan,  who  would 
fain  speak  with  thee  of  Adriel,"  and  Ozias, 
half  ashamed  of  his  ready  distrust,  bade  Achan 
to  be  seated,  and  ordered  Abiathar  that  he 
should  set  bread  before  the  visitor;  but 
Achan  waved  aside  the  proffered  hospital- 


112  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

ity,  and  turning  to  Ozias,  said  in  a  troubled 
voice : 

"  Ozias,  I  have  sought  thee  that  we  might 
speak  together  concerning  my  son.  Well  into 
the  beginning  of  the  watches  he  drove  this 
boy  of  thine  from  his  tent,  and  when  the  boy 
returned  later  to  see  how  Adriel  slept,  behold 
he  was  gone.  Then  it  was  that  Abiathar 
sought  me,  and  together  we  ranged  through 
the  camp  that  peradventure  we  might  find 
him  we  sought,  but  without  avail,  and  return- 
ing at  last  to  his  tent,  we  waited. 

"  As  the  middle  watch  wore  on  we  heard 
footsteps  approaching,  and  then  the  curtain  of 
the  tent  was  thrown  aside  and  Adriel  entered. 
You  should  have  seen  the  wild  look  in  his 
eye,  like  to  the  eyes  of  one  that  walketh  in 
his  sleep,  and  his  garments  and  sandals  were 
clotted  with  the  mire  of  the  plain,  his  hair 
bedraggled  with  the  dew.  He  did  not  seem 
to  see  us,  but  staggered  toward  the  couch  as  a 
man  weary  from  hard  travel,  and  throwing 
himself  upon  it  closed  his  eyes  without  a 


THE  SUMMONS  TO  BATTLE.  113 

word  of  greeting  or  explanation.  Of  a  truth, 
Ozias,  I  believe  the  young  man  to  be  possessed 
of  a  devil  that  drives  him  forth  on  such  mad 
and  meaningless  journeyings." 

The  face  of  Ozias  darkened,  and,  turning  to 
Abiathar,  he  asked  : 

"  Hast  thou  watched  him  well  of  late,  as  I 
bade  thee?" 

"  Even  so,  father,"  replied  the  boy,  "  but  he 
has  seemed  to  chafe  at  my  presence,  to  speak 
harshly,  and,  even  as  Achan  has  told,  last  night 
the  evil  spirit  within  him  compelled  me  to  go 
forth,  peradventure  that  I  might  not  know 
whither  it  drove  him." 

"  Wherefore  didst  thou  not  lie  in  wait  and 
follow  his  steps  ?  " 

"  Truly  I  feared  to,  for  Adriel  is  quick  of 
eye  and  ear,  and  he  looked  so  grim  when  he 
sent  me  away  that  I  doubt  not  the  evil  spirit 
would  have  slain  me  had  I  dared  to  trace 
him." 

"  Tush ! "  said  Ozias  scornfully,  "  I  thought 
that  thou  didst  deem  thyself  swift  of  foot  ?  " 

8 


114  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  Thou  sayest  truly,  but  thou  knowest 
Adriel.  He  would  have  been  upon  me  ere  I 
had  run  a  hundred  paces." 

"  What  thinkest  thou,  Ozias  ? "  asked  Achan 
impatiently. 

"  I  know  not  what  to  think.  Perad venture 
some  woman  hath  wound  her  snares  around 
his  heart." 

"  Nay,  that  cannot  be,  for  I  have  been 
minded  to  speak  to  thee  for  many  days  how 
that  thou  shouldst  betroth  to  him  thy  daugh- 
ter, Miriam.  I  know  his  heart  goes  out  to 
her  alone  of  all  maidens." 

"And  I  had  met  thee  with  a  prompt  assent, 
for  I  love  the  boy  well ;  and  now — we  must 
set  a  watch  upon  him,  and  then  shall  we  see 
whether  or  not  there  be  reason  for  his  mad- 
ness." 

As  Ozias  finished  speaking  there  was  heard 
a  trampling  of  feet  without  the  tent,  and  a 
voice  called : 

"  Ozias,  come  forth !  I  that  speak  to  thee 
am  Caleb,  the  son  of  Jephunneh." 


THE  SUMMONS  TO  BATTLE.  H5 

Ozias  and  Achan  sprang  to  their  feet  and 
issued  out  into  the  dim  light  of  the  early- 
morning,  while  Abiathar  sped  back  to  keep 
watch  near  the  tent  of  Adriel. 

"What  wouldst  thou  with  thy  servant?" 
asked  Ozias,  as  he  stood  before  the  lieutenant 
of  Joshua. 

"  This : "  was  the  prompt  answer.  "  The 
spies  who  went  forth  have  but  just  returned 
to  me,  and  they  have  told  their  story  to  the 
Captain,  how  that  the  hearts  of  the  men  of 
Ai  are  fainting  within  their  breasts  at  the 
news  of  our  entrance  into  the  land.  It  were 
a  needless  toil  to  lead  the  host  up  against 
them,  for  they  will  fall  of  their  own  weakness 
before  the  first  blast  of  our  trumpets.  But 
the  Captain  bids  me  tell  thee  that  thou  take 
with  thee  three  thousand  men,  a  number  equal 
to  the  warriors  that  the  city  can  muster.  Se- 
lect whom  thou  wilt,  and  go  up  through  the 
pass  in  the  hills  and  smite  them  with  the  edge 
of  the  sword,  and  leave  not  one  stone  upon 
another.  When  wilt  thou  go  forth  ? " 


116  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Ozias  bent  his  head.  "The  words  of  my 
lord  shall  be  obeyed.  In  an  hour  from  now 
thy  servant  shall  set  out  even  to  do  thy  bid- 
ding." 

"  So  be  it,"  replied  Caleb,  and  turning  with 
those  that  were  with  him  he  was  soon  lost 
among  the  tents,  while  Ozias  roused  his 
servants  from  their  slumbers,  and  sent  them 
forth  to  pick  three  thousand  of  the  men  of 
Judah,  who  should  march  with  him  against  Ai. 

Hardly  had  the  word  passed  that  an  enter- 
prise was  on  foot,  and  that  Ozias  had  been 
appointed  to  lead  the  detachment,  than  his 
tent  was  besieged  by  many,  eager  to  be  in- 
cluded in  the  chosen  company.  But,  leaving 
the  selection  to  Sethur  and  Zithri,  his  chosen 
lieutenants,  Ozias  set  his  face  toward  the  tent 
of  Adriel,  revolving  in  his  mind  how  that  such 
an  employment  as  he  could  offer  could  not 
fail  to  be  welcome  to  the  spirit  of  the  young 
soldier,  and  would  exert  a  powerful  influence 
toward  shaking  off  the  strange  humor  that  had 
seized  upon  him. 


THE  SUMMONS  TO  BATTLE.  H? 

As  he  hurried  along,  he  was  surprised  to 
see  the  man  he  sought  coming  toward  him. 

"  Adriel !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  It  is  well  I 
have  met  thee,  for  I  was  hastening  to  thy 
tent  to  bid  thee  go  up  with  me  against  Ai. 
Peradventure  a  journey  into  the  mountains 
will  bring  back  the  bloom  to  thy  cheek  and 
the  fire  to  thine  eye." 

Adriel  looked  up  as  Ozias  spoke,  and  the 
old  soldier  almost  started  back  in  surprise 
and  grief  at  the  change  which  three  days  had 
produced.  That  haggard,  weary  face  even 
the  news  of  action  was  powerless  to  lighten. 

For  a  moment  Adriel  did  not  answer,  but 
stood  silent  and  abstracted  as  he  pondered 
on  what  excuse  he  could  offer  to  avoid  the 
service,  a  service  which  might  last  several 
days,  his  absence  during  which  could  not  fail 
to  be  fraught  with  the  gravest  danger  to  the 
maiden  concealed  among  the  ruins.  At  last, 
seeing  that  Ozias  eyed  him  with  surprise  not 
unmingled  with  impatience,  he  said : 

"  Wouldst   thou    have    a   sick    man    with 


118  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

thee  ?  Perchance  thou  mayest  need  the  full 
strength  of  thy  complement." 

"  Tush  !  "  answered  Ozias  testily.  "  Tis 
but  the  languor  of  the  camp.  Trust  me,  it  is 
action  and  enterprise  that  will  drive  away  the 
sombre  spirits  that  oppress  thy  mind." 

"  Ozias,"  said  Adriel,  "  thou  knowest  that 
I  am  not  the  man  to  shun  either  danger  or 
toil,  and  now  I  say  unto  thee  that  ere  I 
had  journeyed  with  thee  as  far  as  the  pass,  my 
head  would  swim  and  my  foot  fail  me.  It  is 
in  vain  thou  urgest.  I  cannot  go." 

He  spoke  decidedly,  and  the  keen  old  sol- 
dier saw  that  argument  was  useless  to  press 
his  cause.  He  shrugged  his  shoulders  and 
saying,  "Be  it  as  thou  wilt,  but  I  thought 
to  do  thee  a  service,"  turned  back  to  where 
his  detachment  was  fast  gathering  for  the 
march. 

"  Strange,  strange,"  he  murmured.  "  It  was 
his  nature  to  bound  with  joy  at  such  a  ser- 
vice. Verily,  he  is  possessed  of  a  devil." 

But  the  time  for  musing  was  short,  for  now 


THE  SUMMONS  TO  BATTLE.  119 

three  thousand  hardy  warriors  stood  ready 
under  arms — picked  men  all,  and  eager  to  be 
led  up  against  the  people  whose  country  they 
now  looked  upon  as,  of  a  truth,  their  own. 
The  trumpets  blared  out  their  brazen  sum- 
mons. Ozias  took  his  place  at  the  head  of 
the  detachment,  and  Joshua,  standing  on  a 
little  rising  ground  amid  a  group  of  the 
princes,  stretched  out  his  hands  over  them, 
and  with  a  few  brief  words  bade  them  go 
forth. 

"  See  well,  ye  men  of  Israel,  that  ye  smite 
them  with  the  edge  of  the  sword  and  leave 
not  one  man  alive,  even  as  ye  smote  the 
men  of  Jericho;  and  may  the  Lord  our  God 
attend  ye  and  give  ye  victory  over  all  your 
enemies ! " 

Again  the  trumpet  sounded  the  long  slow 
blast  of  advance,  and  the  invading  party 
moved  forward  amid  the  shouts  of  the  sur- 
rounding multitude,  who  envied  them  the  re- 
lief from  the  irksome  tedium  of  a  dull  camp. 
Clearly  the  now  arisen  sun,  with  neither  cloud 


120  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

nor  mist  to  dim  its  effulgence,  shone  down 
upon  their  polished  mail  as  the  bearded  ranks 
swept  by,  through  the  western  gate  of  the 
rampart  and  off  into  the  acacia-studded  plain, 
until  the  waving  spear  tips  were  lost  amid 
the  thickening  foliage  of  the  distance. 


CHAPTER  XL 

UNDER    THE    SPELL. 

ASS  we  by  the  day.  Our  business  is 
not  with  it;  nor  need  we  follow 
that  grim  old  soldier,  Ozias,  with 
his  desert-hardened  followers,  as  they  wind 
up  the  tortuous  pathways  of  the  mountains, 
thirsting  for  blood,  confident  of  the  slaking 
of  their  thirst,  yet  watchful  and  wary  lest  jut- 
ting cliff  or  dense  ravine  should  give  hiding 
to  snare  or  ambuscade.  They  are  gone. 
They  have  been  gone  now  for  many  hours, 
and  the  darkness  is  once  again  spread  over 
tent  and  ruin. 

Adriel  had  been  resting,  as  was  his  wont, 
during  the  day,  while  his  family  and  friends 
whispered  sorrowfully  among  themselves  that 


122  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

the  fit  was  upon  him.  They  saw  that  their 
presence  served  but  to  irritate  his  troubled 
brain,  and  therefore  they  kept  aloof.  Even 
Abiathar  was  roughly  told  to  "  take  himself 
hence,"  and  the  ill-concealed  anxiety  of 
Miriam,  which  the  boy  incautiously  revealed, 
seemed  but  to  throw  the  patient  into  a  fit 
gloomier  even  than  those  that  had  gone 
before. 

Abiathar,  while,  obedient  to  the  wish  of 
Adriel,  he  withdrew  himself  from  the  tent, 
yet,  mindful  of  his  father's  bidding,  lingered 
around  and  kept  a  close  watch  that  he  whom 
they  deemed  a  sick  man  should  not  go  forth 
unattended. 

At  last  the  boy's  watching  bore  fruit,  for, 
as  the  night  wore  into  the  middle  watch,  he 
saw  Adriel  issue  out,  clad  as  before,  in  tunic 
and  mantle,  and  take  his  way  toward  the 
western  plain.  Rising  quickly  from  where  he 
lay  upon  the  grass,  Abiathar  followed  at  such 
a  distance  as  to  be  unobserved. 

He    ran   small   risk,  for  the  thoughts   of 


UNDER   THE  SPELL.  123 

Adriel  were  far  away  from  the  fear  of  being 
spied  upon.  The  events  of  the  day  had 
shown  conclusively  that  the  game  he  was 
playing  could  not  be  continued  any  length  of 
time.  True,  he  had  been  saved  much  embar- 
rassment by  the  mistake  made  as  to  the  na- 
ture of  his  ailment — a  mistake  which  he  had 
been  careful  to  do  nothing  to  correct ;  yet 
even  this  had  its  evil  in  the  close  watch  to 
which  he  was  subjected. 

By  constant  contemplation  of  his  growing 
passion  (for  it  was  vain  now  to  deny  to  him- 
self that  it  was  such)  the  shadows  of  religious 
fear  and  race  attachments  and  antipathies 
had  grown  fainter ;  while  Miriam,  as  a  senti- 
ment or  even  a  reproach,  had  vanished  utterly. 
His  whole  mind  was  now  firmly  set  on  the 
path  marked  out.  Though  he  outraged  every 
feeling,  religious  and  patriotic,  though  he 
stripped  every  foredeerned  virtue  from  his 
heart,  yet  the  mysterious  eyes  of  the  Chal- 
dean, as  he  now  knew  her  to  be,  sufficed  for 
all.  Her  image  was  seated  on  the  thrones  of 


lj>4  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

constancy,  virtue,  patriotism — aye,  and  of 
God — and  the  former  occupants  might  search 
for  other  resting-places. 

The  questions  that  now  absorbed  him  and 
drew  the  haggard  lines  of  trouble  in  his  face 
were  practical,  not  moral.  He  had  not  as 
yet  spoken  directly  to  Elissa  of  his  passion, 
though  he  felt  she  could  hardly  be  ignorant 
of  the  nature  of  his  sentiments.  Men  do  not 
do  such  acts  as  his,  so  fraught  with  self-trans- 
formation and  frightful  peril,  without  stronger 
motives  than  mere  pity  or  passing  interest. 
But,  on  the  other  hand,  of  her  feelings  toward 
him  he  knew  nothing,  nor  was  he  as  yet  fully 
settled  that,  were  they  the  most  favorable 
possible,  he  would  do  more  than  escort  her  to 
a  place  of  safety,  and  then  return  to  take  his 
place  in  the  ranks  of  his  people.  To  take  her 
to  a  place  of  safety  was  his  fixed  determina- 
tion in  any  event,  so  there  was  no  need  at 
present  to  conjure  up  the  grim  questions  of 
desertion  and  apostasy.  The  time,  also,  for 
the  attempt  was  settled  in  his  mind.  It 


UNDER  TEE  SPELL.  125 

would  not  be  safe  to  move  until  the  return 
of  Ozias  and  his  followers,  nor  would  it  do  to 
delay  flight  one  moment  after  the  return. 

So  pondering,  Adriel  hurried  on  toward  the 
ruins,  unconscious  that  keener  eyes  were 
watching  him  and  younger  feet  were  tracking 
his  footsteps.  Fortune,  however,  smiled  on 
his  exploit  where  Caution  had  failed  to  do 
her  duty. 

Though  he  had  moved  with  rapid  strides 
across  the  plain,  and  though  his  form  had 
been  often  lost  to  his  pursuer  in  the  thick 
shadows  of  the  palms,  yet,  despite  his  fear  of 
discovery,  the  boy  had,  by  an  occasional  short 
run,  managed  to  keep  track  of  his  quarry, 
while  his  wonder  and  sorrow  momentarily  in- 
creased at  the,  to  him,  evident  signs  of  the 
affliction  they  had  all  so  feared.  And  now  he 
saw  the  form  of  Adriel  swiftly  mounting  the 
ruined  wall  and  then  plunging  down  into  the 
city. 

Abiathar  ran  forward,  but  when  he  reach- 
ed the  summit  of  the  fallen  masonry  he  saw 


126  THE  SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 

no  sign  of  him  he  sought.  Several  streets 
seemed  to  start  from  just  beyond  the  point 
where  the  man  had  entered,  and  there  was 
no  sign  to  disclose  which  one  he  had 
taken.  In  vain  the  boy  forgot  his  caution, 
and,  mounting  to  the  highest  point  of  the 
ruin,  sought  to  gaze  over  the  piles  of  debris 
that  were  scattered  beyond.  Nothing  was 
visible  save  the  moonlight  playing  on  fallen 
block  and  column,  nothing  audible  save  the 
howling  of  wolf  and  the  snarling  of  dog,  as 
they  still  struggled  over  their  loathsome 
repast. 

Once  Abiathar  plunged  down  into  the  broad- 
est street  and  ran  at  full  speed  some  distance  up 
its  encumbered  roadway.  Then  the  vainness 
of  his  search  came  back  upon  him,  added  to 
a  superstitious  dread  of  his  surroundings  and 
a  wholesome  terror  of  the  beasts  of  prey,  and, 
turning,  he  set  his  face  again  toward  the 
camp,  with  downcast  eyes  and  sorrowing 
heart. 

Meanwhile  Adriel,  unconscious  of  the  fact 


UNDER  THE  SPELL.  127 

that  he  had  shaken  off  his  pursuer,  as  he  was 
unconscious  that  he  had  been  pursued,  moved 
swiftly  on  until  he  reached  his  point  of  des- 
tination. 

Everything  seemed  as  he  had  left  it  with 
the  hut  and  its  occupant;  the  one  was 
apparently  as  impassive  as  the  other  to  the 
horror,  danger,  and  solitude  that  surrounded 
them. 

Adriel  entered  and  seated  himself  without 
a  word  upon  a  low  stone  which  had  evidently 
served  the  former  owner  as  a  stool.  For 
many  moments  the  silence  continued  un- 
broken. At  last  the  girl  spoke. 

"  My  lord  is  weary  ?  Peradventure  he 
would  rest?  He  is  welcome  to  such  couch 
as  his  servant  hath  to  offer  him." 

He  started  at  the  sound  of  her  voice,  and 
then,  coming  close  to  her  and  taking  her  hand 
in  his,  he  said : 

"Elissa,  I  have  striven  ere  this  to  speak 
to  thee  of  what  is  in  my  heart,  and  there 
has  been  that  within  me  which  fought  it 


128  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAEOTH. 

back.  Now  the  time  has  come  and  I  can  be 
silent  no  longer.  Thou  must  have  known, 
girl,  that  no  common  motive  could  have 
driven  one  of  my  race  into  such  a  course  as 
I  have  followed.  We  are  well  spoken  of  as 
pitiless  to  our  enemies ;  and  now  I  am  come 
to  say  unto  thee  that  I  am  here  to  go  much 
farther  in  the  path  I  have  chosen.  I  am  here 
to  say  that  when  the  moment  comes,  as  it 
must  ere  long,  I  am  fixed  in  mind  to  go  forth 
bearing  thee  with  me,  to  leave  my  people,  and 
to  defy  my  God ;  nay,  more,  to  draw  sword 
against  them,  if  the  worst  may  come.  I 
know  well  that  the  God  of  Israel  has  marked 
out  this  whole  land  for  an  heritage  to  his 
people,  and  has  commanded  them  to  sweep 
its  inhabitants  from  the  face  of  the  earth ; 
but  I  know,  too,  that  there  are  other  lands 
than  this.  There  are  cities  by  the  great  sea 
of  which  I  have  heard — cities  the  wealth 
and  power  of  which  it  is  hard  to  conceive — 
and  there  is,  too,  that  Babylon  of  which  thou 
hast  spoken.  Peradventure  it  will  go  hard 


UNDER  THE  SPELL.  129 

with  us  if  there  be  not  some  refuge  where 
the  children  of  the  desert  shall  not  come. 
Thither,  then,  dearest,  shall  we  journey,  and 
live  under  the  protection  of  thy  gods,  that 
thy  Ashtaroth  may  bless  our  loves  and  give 
us  protection  against  the  Jehovah  of  Israel." 

He  finished,  and,  reaching  out,  strove  gently 
to  draw  her  toward  him  ;  but  she  held  back. 
Slipping  her  hands  from  his,  she  stood  drawn 
up  to  the  height  of  her  slender  figure,  and 
made  him  answer: 

"  My  lord  does  honor  to  his  servant  in  that 
he  hath  spoken  to  her  as  he  hath.  It  is  even 
more  than  the  benefits  he  hath  heaped  upon 
her  in  the  past ;  for  was  she  not  the  captive 
of  his  sword  and  spear  ?  and  did  it  not  seem 
to  him  that  he  might  do  with  her  as  he 
would  ?  That  she  had  both  power  and  will 
to  escape  from  such  a  fate,  he  knew  not, 
though  it  were  true.  Hear  me  then,  son  of 
Israel !  It  may  not  be  that  I  should  be  thy 
wife.  The  laws  of  my  country  and  my  gods 
forbid  it,  even  as  do  thine ;  for  has  not  my 


130  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

father  fallen  before  thy  people,  and  is  not 
thine  own  sword  wet  with  the  blood  of  my 
brother,  my  kindred,  and  my  servants  ? 
Grateful  I  may  feel ;  but  to  be  thy  wife  !— 
I  see  all  the  powers  of  heaven  and  earth 
leagued  to  punish  such  an  union.  Nay,  now, 
have  reason !  There  may  yet  be  time  for 
thee  to  make  peace  with  thy  God.  Bury  thy 
sword  in  my  bosom,  as  I  bade  thee  once  be- 
fore, and  risk  no  more  in  behalf  of  one  who 
cannot  give  thee  the  reward  thou  earnest." 

"  By  my  God  and  by  thine !  By  all  the 
powers  of  every  heaven ! "  Adriel  cried  out, 
"  I  have  sworn  that  thou  shalt  live,  and  thou 
shalt,  whether  thou  rewardest  me  or  no." 

There  was  that  in  his  voice  which  admitted 
of  no  argument,  and  she  saw  it  and  held  her 
peace ;  but  in  the  mind  of  Adriel  was  tumult 
and  confusion.  Never  for  a  moment  had  he 
imagined  that  she  who,  by  all  the  laws  of 
warfare,  was  his  slave,  would  not  bound  with 
joy  at  such  an  offer  as  he  made.  Young, 
handsome,  active,  and  courageous,  he  had 


UNDER  THE  SPELL.  131 

known  himself  to  be  the  petted  favorite  of 
the  maidens  of  Israel,  until  his  affection  for 
Miriam  had  bade  them  despair;  and  now  that 
this  girl,  over  whom  he  held  the  power  of 
life  or  death,  for  whom  he  ran  such  risks, 
should  gaze  upon  him  calmly  and  deny  his 
impassioned  appeal ! — it  dazed  him. 

When  he  had  recovered  from  his  surprise 
and  came  to  think  over  the  reasons  which 
had  guided  her,  his  judgment  could  not  but 
acknowledge  their  strength  according  to 
Eastern  prejudice. 

Reason  as  he  might,  however,  two  facts 
shone  clear  and  unmistakable  before  him : 
first,  that  his  suit,  which  he  had  considered 
sure,  if  he  had  considered  it  at  all,  was,  at  the 
best,  but  doubtful ;  and  second,  that  the  un- 
expected resistance  he  had  experienced  had 
strengthened  the  already  strong  passion  with- 
in him,  until  now  it  dominated  unchecked 
over  his  whole  being.  The  last  vestiges  of 
restraint  and  remorse  were  gone.  Even  Con- 
science stilled  her  voice  in  despair. 


132  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Several  times,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  girl, 
he  felt  the  fierce,  warm  blood  of  his  race 
surging  up  and  bidding  him  exert  the  recog- 
nized power  of  master  over  captive;  but 
there  was  too  much  reverence  in  his  feeling 
for  her  to  allow  such  a  purpose  to  gain  foot- 
hold, and  then,  too,  he  recalled  what  she  had 
said  about  her  power  to  free  herself  from 
such  a  danger,  and  he  had  seen  too  much 
of  her  determination  and  coolness  to  doubt 
that  her  deeds  would  fulfil  the  promise  of 
her  words. 

As  he  stood  there,  his  purpose  became 
again  fixed. 

"  Be  it  as  thou  sayest,"  he  said,  "  and  know 
that  I  will  show  thee  that  my  love  is  neither 
faint  nor  selfish.  Be  thou  ready,  for  I  will 
come  to  thee  to-morrow,  or  the  day  after 
at  the  latest,  with  beasts  of  burden,  and  will 
bear  thee  hence ;  and  when  thou  art  safe, 
thou  shalt  then  reward  me  or  not,  even  as 
thou  wilt.  Hast  thou  sufficient  for  thy 
wants  ? " 


UNDER   THE  SPELL.  133 

She  bowed  her  head,  and  he  turned  to 
pass  out,  not  daring  to  trust  himself  to 
a  longer  interview.  As  he  disappeared 
through  the  narrow  entrance,  her  voice  rose 
to  call  him  back,  but  instinct  and  education 
yet  managed  to  hold  their  guard  against 
the  half-formed  impulse,  and  his  tall  form 
soon  vanished  in  the  darkness. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


EVIL    TIDINGS. 

IGHT  had  again  sped  away  on  dusky 
pinions,  and  Day  had  taken  her  ene- 
my's place.  Nay,  more,  the  sun  was 
already  high  up  in  the  heavens  and  shone  with 
a  dull,  lurid  light  that  made  the  low  plain 
closer  and  more  sultry  even  than  was  its 
wont ;  and  there  was  a  hush  over  all  the 
wide  extent  of  the  field  of  tents,  deeper  even 
than  the  stillness  of  noonday. 

In  spite  of  the  intense  heat  men  forsook  all 
friendly  shelter  and  stood  in  groups  convers- 
ing together  in  whispered  tones,  while  at 
the  western  gateway  sat  Joshua,  amid  the 
council  of  the  chiefs,  watching  and  waiting 
for  the  first  tidings  of  those  who  had  gone 


EVIL   TIDINGS.  135 

forth  to  do  the  will  of  God  upon  a  doomed 
city. 

"Thou  saidst  that  their  fortifications  were 
as  nothing  to  agile  men,  didst  thou  not  ?  "  he 
said  to  Caleb,  who  stood  beside  him. 

"  Yes,  my  lord,"  was  the  answer ;  "  but,  ac- 
cording to  the  report  of  those  that  went  to 
spy,  our  people  could  scarce  have  gone  and 
returned  by  this,  had  there  been  naught  to 
do  upon  the  ground." 

Eleazer  spoke  :  "  I  know  not  why  it  is,  but 
my  mind  has  been  ill  at  ease  even  from  before 
sunrise  until  now.  I  would  that  more  had 
gone  with  Ozias.  Perchance  it  were  well  that 
scouts  should  go  forth  now  to  anticipate  tid- 
ings." 

"Nay,  Eleazer,"  said  Caleb.  "Dost  thou 
doubt  that  the  God  of  Israel  availeth  to  give 
the  city  into  the  hands  of  three  hundred,  aye, 
and  of  three  men,  were  it  his  will  ? " 

"I  have  passed  the  age  of  doubt,  Caleb," 
answered  the  old  man  calmly,  "  and  while  the 
spirit  of  prophecy  has  never  come  upon  me, 


136  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

yet  I  feel  this  day  as  I  have  never  felt  when 
Israel  went  forth  to  battle.  Does  it  not  seem 
to  thee  that  there  is  a  strange  silence  among 
the  people,  a  something  that  even  the  hour 
and  the  heat  cannot  account  for  ? " 

Before  Caleb  could  make  the  answer  which 
seemed  to  spring  in  a  half-scornful  fashion  to 
his  lips,  there  was  a  commotion  among  those 
on  the  western  outskirt  of  the  multitude,  and 
cries  arose  of, 

"  See  !  A  messenger  from  Ozias !  See  ye 
him  now  among  the  palm-trees  ?  Now  he 
comes  forth  into  the  plain  ! " 

All  arose,  and  Joshua,  from  his  higher  posi- 
tion, beheld  a  man  running  swiftly  toward 
them  across  the  plain,  while  all  around 
thronged  forward  to  meet  him. 

But  as  they  came  nearer,  the  first  of  the 
crowd  halted,  and  then  seemed  to  draw  back 
and  separate  before  the  path  of  the  messen- 
ger, who,  at  the  same  time,  slowed  his  head- 
long gait  to  a  walk  and,  without  a  word, 
without  a  question  asked,  stalked  on  with 


EVIL   TIDINGS.  137 

downcast  head  between  the  ranks  of  awe- 
struck men  and  women  that  closed  again  be- 
hind him  and  thronged  in  his  wake,  until  at 
length  he  stood  before  the  chiefs  assembled 
at  the  western  rampart. 

Not  a  word  had  yet  been  spoken.  He  stood 
amid  the  crowd — a  young  man,  naked,  as  the 
term  goes :  that  is,  clad  only  in  his  tunic,  and 
without  arms  or  armor  of  any  kind.  As  was 
to  be  expected,  he  was  weary  and  travel-stained 
from  the  distance  covered  and  the  speed  with 
which  he  had  come.  It  was  his  face  and  his 
silence  which  told  a  story  of  which  none  durst 
question  him  further. 

Joshua  himself  at  last  broke  the  grim  still- 
ness. 

"  Speak  !  What  tidings  dost  thou  bring  to 
the  Princes  of  Israel  ?  Art  thou  from  Ozias, 
the  son  of  Zadok  ? " 

"  Ozias  is  not,"  replied  the  man  in  hollow 
tones,  while  the  multitude  pressed  close  around 
him  with  horror  and  dismay  in  every  face. 

"  And  his  followers  ? "  asked  Joshua,  bend- 


138  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

ing  eagerly  forward  to  catch,  as  it  were,  the 
very  movements  of  the  runner's  lips  ere  yet  the 
words  should  leave  them. 

"Are  fallen  or  scattered  unto  the  four 
winds;"  was  the  gloomy  answer.  "Verily, 
they  smote  us  with  the  edge  of  the  sword 
even  back  unto  the  passes." 

A  long,  low  groan  went  up  from  those  who 
heard  the  words  of  the  messenger,  and  then  of 
a  sudden  a  wailing  arose  over  the  whole  camp ; 
so  swiftly  fled  the  news  from  mouth  to  mouth, 
supplemented  as  it  was  by  other  and  still 
more  certain  intelligence ;  for  now  the  swift- 
est or  most  timid  of  those  who  had  gone  forth 
with  Ozias  began  to  straggle  in  with  haggard, 
weary  faces  and  battered  arms,  or  none  at  all ; 
while  here  and  there  red,  gaping  gashes  half 
closed  and  choked  with  dust  gave  ghastlier 
testimony  to  the  story  of  defeat.  Slowly  and 
from  many  tongues  the  tale  at  length  took 
shape. 

They  had  marched  confidently  out.  They 
had  threaded  their  difficult  and  wearisome 


EVIL   TIDINGS.  139 

way  through  the  rugged  passes  of  the  moun- 
tains,  guided  by  the  spies  of  the  day  before. 
Safely  and  unattacked  they  had  emerged  from 
the  lower  defiles,  and  had,  without  rest,  pressed 
on  to  where  they  saw  rampart  and  roof  that 
awaited  them  for  a  prey. 

Thus  hastening  forward  eager  and  trium- 
phant, they  defiled  upon  a  small,  level  table- 
land, which  trended  gently  up  to  the  very 
gates  of  the  city ;  where,  of  a  sudden,  they 
beheld  an  army  drawn  up  to  dispute  all 
farther  advance.  There  was  no  time  for  rest, 
nor  had  the  fierce  warriors  asked  or  desired 
it ;  but,  confident  in  their  line  of  unbroken 
victories,  they  shouted  with  one  voice  to  be 
led  against  the  foe,  and  rushed  forward,  a 
tumultuous  mass  of  waving  spears,  while  the 
men  of  Canaan,  from  their  side,  came  on  as 
boldly.  In  front  of  the  hostile  line  of  battle, 
twenty  war-chariots  of  iron  drove  on  to  break 
the  Israelite  ranks;  on  each  wing  overlapping 
clouds  of  horsemen  swept  around  the  in- 
vaders' flanks ;  while  in  the  centre  the  dense 


140  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

mass  of  spearmen  pushed  forward  to  take 
advantage  of,  and  render  irremediable,  such 
confusion  as  chariot  and  horseman  should 
produce. 

In  an  instant  the  ponderous  iron  wheels, 
armed  with  their  projecting  knives,  were 
hurtling  through  the  Israelitish  ranks.  The 
horse  closed  in  upon  the  wings,  until  the 
shattered  and  disordered  remnant  offered  but 
a  sorry  front  to  the  bristling  lines  that  swept 
down  upon  them  in  orderly  array. 

For  a  few  brief  moments  the  hand-to-hand 
struggle  continued,  and  then,  seeing  them- 
selves steadily  forced  backward,  a  panic  sud- 
den and  unreasoning  came  upon  the  invaders. 
God  had  darkened  his  face!  and,  breaking 
such  semblance  of  order  as  yet  remained,  they 
fled  madly  in  all  directions,  pursued  and  cut 
down,  until  they  reached  the  sheltering  ref- 
uge of  the  mountain  defiles. 

Ozias  had  been  seen  at  the  last  moment, 
like  a  lion  at  bay  in  the  midst  of  a  closing 
circle  of  Canaanitish  spears,  with  his  short 


EVIL   TIDINGS.  HI 

sword  hewing  and  hacking  at  the  dense 
forest  around  him.  Now  he  went  down  on 
one  knee  before  a  clever  thrust;  then,  up 
again,  only  to  sink  exhausted  with  wounds 
and  overpowered  by  numbers.  The  next  in- 
stant his  head  had  appeared  upon  a  spear- 
point,  and  then  the  rout  became  general  and 
irretrievable. 

Such  was  the  sad  story,  and,  amid  the 
voice  of  weeping  and  despair  that  filled  the 
camp,  rose  the  sullen  murmur  against  the 
leaders,  and  even  against  the  God  who  led 
the  people  to  destruction.  As  they  had 
deemed  themselves  irresistible,  so  the  shock  of 
defeat  fell  upon  them  the  more  severely,  and 
more  voices  than  one  arose  amid  the  general 
clamor  and  exclaimed,  "  Let  us  see  what  God 
presides  over  the  safety  of  Ai,  for  he  is 
mightier  than  ours,  and  it  were  well  to  make 
sacrifice  unto  him." 

Joshua  had  first,  like  a  wary  captain,  lis- 
tened closely  and  with  searching  questions 
to  the  tale  of  the  fugitives,  had  learned  that 


142  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

the  pursuit  had  stopped  at  the  mountain 
passes,  and  had  given  orders  that  flying  de- 
tachments should  go  forth  and  scour  the 
country,  to  bring  in  the  scattered  remnant 
and  succor  such  as  might  have  fainted  from 
their  wounds  among  the  mountains. 

This  done,  he  passed  with  downcast  head 
unto  the  great  tabernacle,  that  stood  central 
amid  the  tents,  and  there,  standing  before 
the  gorgeous  curtain,  rich  with  embroidered 
cherubim — that  curtain  which  shut  out  what 
lay  beyond,  save  to  the  naked  feet  of  the 
priests — he  tore  open  the  garment  over  his 
broad  chest,  and  sprinkled  dust  upon  his 
forehead,  and  fell  upon  his  face  before  the 
entrance  in  an  agony  of  grief  and  shame,  in- 
voking the  God  that  pervaded  heaven  and 
earth,  and  yet  condescended  to  dwell  among 
them  in  the  habitation  they  had  built  for 
him  even  as  he  had  commanded. 

And  Joshua  cried  out,  "  Alas !  O  Lord 
God,  wherefore  hast  thou  at  all  brought  this 
people  over  Jordan  to  deliver  us  into  the 


EVIL   TIDINGS.  143 

hand  of  the  Amorites,  to  destroy  us  ?  Would 
to  God  we  had  been  content  and  dwelt  on 
the  other  side  Jordan  !  O  Lord !  What  shall 
I  say  when  Israel  turn  their  backs  before 
their  enemies  ?  For  the  Canaanites  and  all 
the  inhabitants  of  the  land  shall  hear  of  it, 
and  shall  environ  us  round  and  cut  off  our 
name  from  the  earth,  and  what  wilt  thou  do 
unto  thy  great  name  ? " 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE   ANSWER. 

ALE  and  trembling,  overcome  with 
sorrow,  shame,  and  despair,  yet  si- 
lent after  the  first  great  outbreak  of 
feeling,  the  people  had  followed  Joshua  up  to 
where  he  had  entered  into  the  enclosure  of 
the  tabernacle,  and  now  they  waited  in  terror 
and  awe  as  the  thunder  rolled  from  out  of 
the  darkened  sky  and  seemed  to  find  an  echo 
within  the  sombre  coverings  of  azure-dyed 
skins  that  hid  the  more  delicate  textures  and 
fine  gold  from  profane  eyes. 

The  enclosure  itself,  shut  in  by  brazen  pil- 
lars with  hangings  of  twined  white  linen  yarn, 
was  thronged  with  priests  and  princes  lying 
prone  upon  the  ground  with  rent  robes  and 


THE  ANSWER.  145 

dust  sprinkled  upon  their  temples ;  while  the 
cherubim,  embroidered  in  blue,  purple,  and 
scarlet  upon  the  linen  curtain  that  hung  over 
the  mysterious  entrance,  seemed  to  gaze  with 
sad  and  pitying  eyes  upon  the  sorrowing  mul- 
titude. 

Hours  had  passed,  and  still  they  waited 
until  perchance  some  sign  should  be  given; 
until  their  eternal  sentence  should  be  pro- 
nounced ;  while  from  time  to  time  the  low, 
rumbling  voice  of  the  thunder  seemed  to 
carry  menace  in  its  hollow  tones,  and  struck 
the  fangs  of  superstitious  terror  deep  down 
into  their  very  souls.  So  the  day  wore  on 
until  the  going  down  of  the  sun,  and  then 
the  earth  seemed  to  rock  and  shudder,  while 
the  low,  deep  thunders  gathered  volume  and 
broke  with  terrific  crashes  upon  the  startled 
ears  of  those  who  waited.  The  sacred  tent 
seemed  to  tremble  as  though  a  mighty  wind 
passed  through  it  with  a  murmur  like  the 
sound  of  voices  in  some  language  unknown 

on  earth.     The  tension  of  human  nerves  had 
10 


146  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

been  strained  to  its  limit  during  the  horrors 
of  the  long  afternoon,  and  now  a  panic  of 
wild,  blind  terror  seized  upon  all,  driving 
them  well  nigh  to  madness  in  its  furious 
embrace. 

It  is  impossible  to  say  to  what  headlong 
folly  a  few  brief  moments  of  ungoverned  fear 
misrht  have  driven  the  mass  of  human  beings 

o  o 

surging  and  swaying  like  an  imprisoned  and 
stormy  ocean  which,  when  it  finds  an  open- 
ing in  the  barriers  that  oppose  it,  bursts  forth 
to  desolate  the  land. 

Those  moments  never  came.  The  weak- 
ened and  fast-vanishing  barriers  of  sslf-con- 
trol  found  the  needed  support  in  a  clear  voice 
that  rose  distinct  above  the  tumult  and  bade 
the  loosened  ocean  of  human  passions  back 
into  its  channels.  It  was  not  the  deep,  mys- 
terious, unknown  voice  that  they  had  seemed 
to  hear,  and  which  had  now  ceased.  It  was 
the  voice  of  Joshua,  who  stood  erect  and 
faced  them,  and  the  words  he  spake  were 
these : 


THE  ANSWER.  147 

"  Let  the  people  be  silent  and  listen  ! " 

The  storm  subsided  more  rapidly  even  than 
it  arose.  He  stood  on  the  rising  ground  at 
the  entrance  of  the  tabernacle,  and  his  face 
was  pale,  but  he  trod  as  though  the  fire  of 
heaven  had  been  infused  into  his  veins. 

"  Men  of  Israel !  "  he  began.  "  In  times  of 
trouble  it  has  been  granted  unto  those  whom 
Jehovah  hath  chosen  to  lead  his  people,  to 
hear  and  understand  that  voice  whereat  the 
mountains  tremble  and  the  heaven  hides  its 
face.  While  I  lay  prostrate  before  the  Ark, 
I  communed  with  the  God  of  Israel,  and  he 
hath  spoken  out  to  me  from  the  great  cur- 
tains, from  the  holy  of  holies,  yea,  even  from 
the  Ark  of  the  covenant.  Listen  now,  and 
give  heed  to  the  words  which  Jehovah  hath 
said  unto  his  servant  in  the  voice  ye  heard, 
but  understood  not. 

" '  Get  thee  up  ! '  it  spake.  '  Wherefore 
liest  thou  thus  upon  thy  face?  Israel  hath 
sinned,  and  they  have  transgressed  my  cove- 
nant which  I  commanded  them ;  for  they  have 


148  THE  SPELL   OF  ASI1TAROTH. 

taken  of  the  accursed  thing,  and  have  stolen 
and  dissembled  also,  and  they  have  put  it 
even  among  their  own  goods.  Therefore  the 
children  of  Israel  could  not  stand  before  their 
enemies,  but  turned  their  backs  before  their 
enemies  because  they  were  accursed  ;  neither 
will  I  be  with  you  any  more,  except  ye  de- 
stroy the  accursed  from  among  you.  Up! 
and  sanctify  the  people,  and  say,  Sanctify 
yourselves  against  to-morrow,  for  thus  saith 
the  Lord  God  of  Israel : 

" '  There  is  an  accursed  thing  in  the  midst 
of  thee,  O  Israel !  Thou  canst  not  stand  before 
thine  enemies  until  ye  take  away  the  accursed 
thing  from  among  you.'  So  spake  the  voice 
of  Jehovah. 

"In  the  morning,  therefore,  ye  shall  be 
brought  according  to  your  tribes,  and  it  shall 
be  that  the  tribe  which  the  Lord  taketh  shall 
come  according  to  the  families  thereof ;  and 
the  family  which  the  Lord  shall  take,  shall 
come  by  households ;  and  the  household 
which  the  Lord  shall  take,  shall  come  man  by 


THE  ANSWER.  149 

man.  And  it  shall  be  that  he  that  is  taken 
with  the  accursed  thing  shall  be  burnt  with 
fire,  he  and  all  that  he  hath ;  because  he  hath 
transgressed  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  and 
because  he  hath  wrought  folly  in  Israel." 

He  ceased  speaking,  and  a  silence  almost 
audible  in  its  intensity  fell  upon  the  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  who  thronged  around, 
even  to  the  uttermost  borders  of  the  listening 
multitude  where  human  voice  might  strive 
in  vain  to  reach,  and  yet  where  every  word 
he  had  uttered  was  deep  graven  on  their 
hearts  though  their  ears  heard  not.  Men 
looked  into  each  other's  faces  pale  with  terror 
— a  nameless,  superstitious  dread  of  some- 
thing they  knew  not  what.  Some  man  of 
Israel  had  sinned  against  the  great  Jehovah. 
He  had  taken  of  the  accursed  thing.  Their 
God  spoke  in  a  language  the  meaning  of 
which  their  minds  strove  in  vain  to  gather. 
Only  this  was  clear.  That  whatever  the 
mysterious  nature  of  the  act  thus  vaguely 
shadowed  forth,  whoever  the  daring  criminal 


150  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

who  strove  with  impious  presumption  to 
overreach  Him  whose  seat  was  between  the 
cherubim,  there  was  a  judgment  to  come — 
a  judgment  in  which  the  heavenly  power 
was  to  be  once  more  manifested  in  all  its 
terrors  saving  only  the  last.  The  condemna- 
tion came  from  the  lips  of  God,  but  the  pun- 
ishment was  left  to  men.  The  awful  scene 
when  the  rebellious  sons  of  Aaron  and  their 
company  had  disappeared  into  the  gaping 
earth — that  fearful  day  which  many  of  them 
remembered  so  well — that  day  and  scene 
were  not  to  be  repeated. 

When  they  raised  their  eyes  and  gazed 
again  upon  the  taberriacle,  he  who  had 
spoken  to  them  stood  no  longer  by  its  en- 
trance. Unnoticed  and  unseen  he  had  passed 
down  through  the  dense  ranks  of  the  people 
and  gone  into  his  own  tent. 

Then  slowly  and  still  in  silence,  the  great 
crowd  melted  away  until  the  broad  space 
that  surrounded  the  sacred  enclosure  was 
bare  of  the  multitude  that  but  a  short  time 


THE  ANSWER.  151 

before  had  made  it  rock  and  waver  with 
their  trampling,  and  had  joined  their  voices, 
raised  in  terror,  to  the  vengeful  thunder  of 
the  Almighty.  Only  the  priests  remained  to 
pray  and  offer  sacrifice  during  the  night  that 
Jehovah  might  take  away  the  curse  which  lay 
upon  the  people. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


THE    BITTERNESS    OF   DEATH. 

tad  been  musing  in  his  tent 
during  the  long  morning  while  Is- 
rael had  waited  for  the  news  of  vic- 
tory at  Ai,  and  it  was  Abiathar  who  first 
brought  him  the  tidings  of  defeat,  and  of  the 
death  of  the  man  who  had  loved  him  as  a 
son — the  father  of  Miriam  and  of  the  boy 
who  stood  before  him,  and  who,  the  first 
transports  of  grief  now  over,  bore  upon  his 
face  a  stern,  vindictive  look  that  augured  ill 
for  his  forbearance  to  such  Canaanites  as 
might  in  after  years  cross  his  path. 

Roused  at  the  tidings,  the  old  spirit  of  the 
soldier  for  an  instant  flashed  forth  in  the 
bosom  of  Adriel,  and  his  kindling  eye  sought 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  153 

where  Ms  arms  had  hung  useless  while  their 
master's  mind  was  troubled  about  other 
things.  Abiathar  marked  the  glance,  and  a 
flash  of  joy  passed  over  his  features. 

"  Arouse  thee,  Adriel  !  We  two  will  go 
forth  with  the  people  and  take  vengeance 
on  them  that  slew  my  father  and  Miriam's. 
They  shall  muster  me  into  the  host  though  I 
be  not  of  the  allotted  age." 

But  even  as  the  boy  spoke,  the  forces  of 
which  Abiathar  knew  not  resumed  their 
momentarily  relaxed  control.  Adriel  threw 
himself  back  upon  his  couch.  The  mission 
which  he  had  taken  up  forbade  all  thoughts 
of  waging  war  against  Canaan,  even  though 
every  man  of  his  family  and  tribe  might  have 
fallen  before  the  scythed  chariots. 

"What  am  I,  Abiathar?"  he  said  sadly. 
"What  am  I,  broken  and  shattered  as  thou 
seest  me,  to  take  sword  and  shield  against 
the  men  of  Canaan  ?  Trust  that  Joshua  will 
not  rest  until  thy  father  and  my  friend  is 
well  avenged." 


154  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

A  deep  shade  of  disappointment  and  sur- 
prise spread  itself  over  the  boy's  face,  but, 
before  he  gathered  voice  to  answer  or  remon- 
strate, the  tumult  without  grew  louder  and 
more  confused,  until,  carried  away  in  spite  of 
himself,  Adriel  sprang  up,  and  throwing  his 
mantle  over  his  shoulder,  strode  out  followed 
by  his  companion,  and,  mingling  with  the  ex- 
cited crowd,  was  borne  swiftly  toward  the 
centre  of  the  camp,  whither  the  Captain 
seemed  to  have  taken  his  way. 

******* 

Through  all  the  varied  passions  that  had 
inspired  and  swayed  that  vast  multitude 
while  they  waited  through  the  long  after- 
noon, Adriel  had  remained  stolid  and  pas- 
sionless. His  thoughts  were  far  away  from 
what  was  passing  around  him.  In  the  par- 
oxysm of  terror  that  at  the  last  convulsed 
the  people,  his  feelings  were  scarcely  moved 
from  the  deep  inward  contemplation  that  ab- 
sorbed them ;  but  when  the  Captain  of  Israel 
had  appeared  once  more  and  quieted  the 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  155 

turmoil  that  had  threatened  to  overturn  all 
order  and  government ;  when  his  stern,  clear 
voice  rose  high  and  silenced  the  swelling 
murmur  of  the  on-coming  wave,  Adriel,  im- 
pelled by  an  irresistible  impulse,  bent  his 
ear  and  listened,  spell-bound,  to  the  words  of 
Jehovah  as  he  spoke  by  the  mouth  of  his 
chosen  leader. 

Those  words,  which  to  the  wondering  mul- 
titude seemed  strange  and  enigmatical,  to  him 
bore  meaning  fraught  with  all  that  was  sug- 
gestive and  terrible.  He  saw,  or  fancied  he 
saw,  the  Being  whose  commands  he  had  de- 
fied bending  from  the  very  heavens  to  bring 
punishment  swift  and  awful  upon  the  daring 
offender,  and  smiting  the  whole  nation  that 
they  might  be  aroused  to  execute  vengeance. 

Not  least  among  these  agonized  visions  was 
the  thought  of  the  sure  destruction  that  must 
await  her  for  whose  sake  he  had  run  the  risk. 
Even  were  her  hiding-place  not  disclosed  by 
the  same  Power  that  condemned  him,  yet 
what  hope  was  there  for  her  to  escape  with- 


156  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

out  food  and  unprotected  ?  He  saw  her,  on 
the  one  hand,  a  helpless  victim  to  the  laws 
of  an  outraged  and  maddened  Israel ;  on  the 
other,  a  sure  prey  to  hunger  or  to  the  fierce 
beasts  and  fiercer  men  who  made  their  homes 
in  the  mountains  and  descended  but  to  slay 
and  plunder. 

Aroused  at  length  from  the  swarm  of  hide- 
ous nightmares  that  floated  across  his  vision, 
he  became  conscious  that  he  stood  alone  in 
the  broad  plain,  with  the  murmuring  camp 
around  him  and  the  monotonous  voices  of  the 
priests  as  they  rose  in  a  steady  swell  from 
the  holy  ground  before. 

"  God  have  mercy  on  thy  chosen  people  !  " 
they  sang,  or  rather  chanted.  "  God  be  mer- 
ciful and  disclose  him  who  hath  brought  con- 
fusion upon  Israel !  May  his  blood  wash 
away  our  reproach  in  the  eyes  of  the  people 
of  the  land,  and  may  their  blood  be  again  as 
water  when  they  gaze  upon  our  advancing 
standards ! " 

So  the  long  chant  arose  together  with  the 


TEE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  157 

smoke  and  odor  of  the  sacrifices,  until,  unable 
to  listen  to  the  rain  of  awful  imprecations 
that  devoted  him  to  a  shameful  death,  he 
turned  and  strode  away  into  the  darkness. 

Scarce  conscious  of  where  he  went,  he 
passed  in  among  the  tents,  over  the  rampart, 
and  out  into  the  acacia-studded  plain,  his  head 
sunk  upon  his  breast,  a  victim  to  the  dull 
blight  that  had  settled  over  him,  until  he 
beheld  the  moon  glittering  upon  the  white 
ruins  of  the  fallen  city.  Then  only  did  the 
man  gather  himself  together  and  become  in- 
spired with  consciousness  and  feeling — with 
the  knowledge  of  what  and  where  he  was. 
He  turned,  with  footsteps  no  longer  wavering, 
in  that  direction  toward  which  he  had  set 
his  face  on  other  nights,  and  soon  reached 
and  entered  the  hut  that  sheltered  her  for 
whose  sake  he  saw  himself  as  a  doomed 
man. 

Without  a  word,  without  even  an  answer 
to  the  girl's  greeting,  he  sat  down  upon  the 
edge  of  the  couch  and  buried  his  head  in  his 


158  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

hands,  while  his  sinewy  body  swayed  and 
trembled  under  the  excess  of  his  emotion. 

For  a  few  moments  she  gazed  upon  him  in 
silence.  Then  she  spoke. 

"  My  lord  vexes  himself  to-night.  Let  him 
speak  freely  unto  his  servant,  that  she  may 
perchance  bring  him  comfort." 

Adriel  shuddered  at  the  sound  of  her  even- 
ly  modulated  voice,  but  he  made  no  answer. 

"  Are  the  evil  spirits  heavy  on  my  master's 
heart  ?  Let  him  look  up,  and  his  servant  will 
charm  them  away.  Thou  knowest  my  peo- 
ple are  cunning  with  spells." 

Then  he  arose  and  stood  before  her.  "  Dost 
thou  know,  girl,"  he  said,  "  that  we  are  even 
as  the  dead  ? " 

She  laughed  merrily. 

"Is  it  that  which  maketh  thee  heavy  of 
heart?  Nay,  rather  rejoice,  for  death  is  rest 
from  battles,  and  sorrows,  and  all  labors." 

"  Thinkest  thou,"  he  asked  bitterly,  "  that 
the  death  Jehovah  sendeth  as  a  punishment 
will  be  a  thing  of  pleasure  ?  Know  that  de- 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  159 

feat  has  fallen  upon  our  people  at  the  hands 
of  the  men  of  Ai.  There  is  death  and  wail- 
ing in  our  camp,  and  Jehovah  hath  thundered 
forth  from  his  most  holy  place  that  his  peo- 
ple are  accursed  because  of  the  sin  of  one; 
and  he  hath  bidden  them  come  forth  upon 
the  morrow  that  he  may  deliver  him  that  is 
guilty  into  their  hands  that  they  may  slay 
him.  But  know  that  though  death  be  bitter, 
and  though  what  cometh  after  worse,  yet  that 
which  I  now  suffer  is  less  tolerable — the 
thought  that  thou  must  fall  with  me;  for 
thinkest  thou  that  when  our  God  shall  pun- 
ish my  defiance,  he  will  yet  leave  thee  undis- 
covered? It  is  that,  Elissa,  that  rends  my 
spirit  and  makes  me  womanish  at  the  sight  of 
death." 

Once  again  the  girl  laughed. 

"  Listen ! "  she  said.  "  Why  shouldst  thou 
mourn  over  me  when  I  tell  thee  that  death 
cannot  shake  my  spirit  ?  I  shall  take  him  in 
my  arms,  and  kiss  his  lips  as  a  maiden  kisseth 
the  bridegroom  on  her  wedding  night.  Be- 


160  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

hold,  now  I  will  show  thee  a  way,  and  all 
shall  yet  be  well.  Take  thy  sword  and  slay 
me  as  thy  God  wills  it.  Then  wilt  thou 
send  me  whither  I  fear  not  to  journey,  and 
the  sacrifice  shall  win  thee  favor  in  the  eyes 
of  thy  God  that  he  may  not  destroy  thee." 

Adriel  flushed  high  at  her  words,  and  his 
answer  hissed  fiercely  from  between  teeth 
tight  clenched. 

"  Thou  knowest  that  I  sorrow  but  for  thee, 
and  thinkest  thou  that  I  will  slay  thee  now  to 
save  to  myself  that  which  I  value  not,  the 
curse  of  life  ?  Thou  wouldst  not  love  me ; 
but  thou  shalt  see  to-morrow  that  I  will  walk 
to  death  as  blithely  for  thy  sake  as  though 
thou  hadst  been  to  me  all  I  craved  !  " 

As  he  spoke  his  voice  had  softened  until 
fierceness  and  bitterness  were  gone.  Only 
deep  and  overpowering  affection  was  in  its 
tones.  He  threw  himself  down  upon  the 
rude  bench.  His  head  bent  forward  upon  his 
breast,  and  for  a  space  no  word  was  heard. 
Then  she  came  softly  to  his  side  and,  kneel- 


TEE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  161 

ing  down,  took  both  his  hands  in  hers  and 
said: 

"If  iny  lord  so  loveth  his  handmaid  that 
he  would  die  thus,  such  love  as  he  hath  given 
shall  he  have  in  return." 

At  her  words  and  touch  the  old  life  sprang 
up  within  him.  The  blood  again  coursed 
hotly  through  his  veins,  and,  with  arms  wound 
close  around  her  slender  form,  he  strained  her 
to  his  bosom  and  kissed  fiercely  again  and 
again  the  flower-like  face  turned  unresistingly 
toward  him.  Then,  releasing  her,  he  rose  to 
his  full  height,  once  more  in  the  semblance  of 
the  fierce  soldier  that  had  pressed  on  eagerly 
in  the  fore-front  of  the  battle ;  once  more  that 
Adriel  who  had  mounted  the  breach  sword  in 
hand  against  the  spears  of  Canaan;  but  not 
he  who  had  spoken  to  Miriam  of  love  where 
the  standard  of  Judah  waved  on  that  night 
before  the  city  fell.  There  only  was  the  im- 
age changed ;  for  the  heart  had  gone  into  the 
keeping  of  the  daughter  of  Ashtaroth. 

At  last  Adriel  spoke  again. 
11 


162  THE  SPELL  OF  ASUTAROTH. 

"  Now  is  my  heart  free  to  welcome  death 
and  torment,  and  laugh  with  thee,  my  beloved? 
at  those  who  may  seek  to  do  us  ill.  We  shall 
die  a  merry  death." 

She  seemed  to  ponder  while  her  hand  still 
rested  in  his.  Then  she  looked  up  again  and 
said : 

"  Wherefore,  O  Adriel,  dost  thou  speak  of 
death?  The  morrow  is  not  yet  come,  and 
shall  we  stand  and  wait  for  it  like  sheep  at  the 
shambles  ?  Let  us  rather  hasten  to  the  city 
that  has  overthrown  thy  people's  warriors  in 
battle,  and  peradventure  we  shall  live  and  not 
die." 

Adriel  shook  his  head  mournfully  while 
he  smiled  on  the  girl  who  stood  erect  and 
eager  before  him. 

"Thinkest  thou,"  he  said,  "to  fly  from  Je- 
hovah ?  That  the  God  of  Israel  is  such  a 
feeble  G-od  that  those  whom  he  hath  marked 
out  for  destruction  may  say,  '  I  will  arise  and 
journey  ten  miles,  or  I  will  journey  twenty 
miles,  and  this  God  shall  not  find  me '  ?  " 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  163 

"  Nay,  but,7'  she  answered  stoutly ;  "  shall 
we  therefore  set  ourselves  down  and  say 
that  death  is  upon  us  because  some  God  hath 
frowned  ?  Are  there  not  other  gods  beside 
the  Jehovah  ?  There  are  Ashtaroth,  and  Baal- 
Moloch,  and  Baal-Melkarth,  and  Adonis,  and 
Ashera ;  and  there  are  all  the  mighty  gods 
of  my  father's  people  in  the  East.  And  I 
have  heard  of  the  great  things  they  have  done 
for  those  who  worshipped  them.  Dost  thou 
think  that  thy  God  can  slay  thee  if  all  these 
bid  him  nay?  Yet,  know  that  thou  must  re- 
gard thine  own  safety,  that  the  gods  may  see 
it  is  of  value,  for  they  bend  not  from  the 
heavens  for  little  things." 

As  she  spoke  a  dark  perplexed  cloud  spread 
itself  over  his  face,  and  after  a  moment's 
thought  he  answered : 

"  It  is  taught  among  my  people  that  there 
is  no  God  but  Jehovah ;  that  those  whom 
thou  callest  gods  are  but  wood  and  stone, 
and  gold,  and  silver,  and  that  they  slay  not, 
neither  save." 


THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

Once  more  she  laughed,  this  time  low  and 
softly. 

"Think  not,"  she  said,  "that  the  stories  of 
old  are  false,  and  that  thy  God  has  but  to 
breathe  upon  all  others  that  they  sink  away. 
Is  it  for  nothing  that  Ha  has  reigned  for  a 
thousand  years  in  Babylon,  with  Ana,  and 
Belus,  and  Hoa?  that  thy  people,  coming 
naked  out  of  the  desert,  should  say  that  these 
are  not  gods  ?  Arouse  thee  !  Shake  thy  su- 
perstition from  thy  soul,  and  I  will  show  thee 
that  there  are  mighty  gods  who  know  not 
the  God  of  Israel." 

"  Wherefore,  then,"  asked  Adriel,  "did  they 
not  save  the  city  ? " 

"  The  gods  know  all  things,"  she  answered, 
solemnly.  "They  give  life,  and  they  take 
it.  Peradventure  they  smote  the  city  that 
it  should  be  as  a  warning  unto  others  to 
neglect  not  their  worship,  for  the  men  of 
Jericho  thought  not  of  aught  but  feasting 
and  pleasure,  until  the  word  came  that  Israel 
was  come  up  against  them.  Then  it  was 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  165 

that  they  fell  down  and  worshipped  and  made 
sacrifice ;  but  the  gods  bend  not  to  time- 
servers,  and  they  gave  them  unto  thy  people 
for  a  prey.  Markest  thou  that  He  smote  not 
the  men  of  Ai,  and  they  met  ye  man  to  man 
in  the  open  field  ?  " 

Again  Adriel's  brow  was  drawn  in 
thought.  Then  he  said: 

"  What  wouldst  thou,  maiden,  that  I 
should  do?" 

"  Fly  ! "  she  answered  promptly,  "  and  not 
linger  here  to  be  stricken  down  like  a  slave 
tinder  the  lash.  It  is  not  yet  the  middle 
watch,  and  thou  canst  return  to  thy  camp 
and  get  beasts  of  burden  that  shall  bear  us 
across  the  mountains  even  unto  Ai,  and 
laugh  at  thy  God  ere  he  arise  to  slay  thee  in 
the  morning." 

"  It  shall  be  as  thou  sayest,"  he  answered. 
"  I  will  make  the  attempt,  and  do  thou  pray 
unto  thy  gods  that  they  bare  their  arms  in 
our  defence,  for  I  tell  thee  that  the  God  of 
Israel  is  mightier  than  thou  dreamest.  Come 


166  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

thou  with  me,  and  I  will  lead  thee  unto  that 
border  of  the  city  nearest  the  carnp,  that  thou 
mayest  await  me  there  until  I  return  with  the 
beasts,  for  of  a  truth  no  asses  could  pick  their 
way  through  the  path  by  which  I  seek  thee 
here." 

Taking  her  once  more  by  the  hand,  he 
led  her  out  into  the  night,  and  they  passed 
again  through  the  remains  of  narrow,  crooked 
streets,  clogged  and  well  nigh  impassable 
from  the  ruin  that  had  fallen  over  them. 

Suddenly,  as  they  turned  a  corner,  Adriel, 
whose  watchful  eye  had  been  ever  active  for 
signs  of  danger,  perceived  three  figures  stand- 
ing but  a  few  paces  ahead  of  them. 

He  sprang  back  behind  the  angle  of  a  wall, 
drawing  Elissa  with  him.  But  it  was  too 
late.  He  was  seen  by  one  of  the  men,  who 
called  out : 

"  Ah,  Badezor !  Thinkest  thou  to  hide  ? 
I  will  bring  thee  forth— "  and  his  sandals 
sounded  on  the  stones  as  he  sprang  forward 
to  seek  one  whom  he  thought  to  be  a  com- 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  167 

rade  minded  to  jest.  But,  as  he  turned  the 
corner,  a  different  greeting  was  in  store  for 
him. 

Adriel  stood  close  to  the  wall,  with  Elissa 
crouching  behind  him,  and  the  man  started 
back  in  astonishment  as  he  found  himself 
face  to  face  with  one  he  had  never  seen. 
The  flash  of  a  weapon  in  the  moonlight 
came  before  his  eyes,  and  then  he  sank  down 
with  the  sword  deep  set  in  his  throat. 

A  gasp — a  vain  attempt  to  cry  out ;  and 
then  the  gurgle  of  swift-rushing  blood,  and 
all  was  still. 

"  Now  let  us  fly  swiftly,"  whispered  Adriel, 
"  for  his  fellows  will  come  soon  to  seek  him, 
and  without  armor  I  might  fare  badly  at 
their  hands ; "  and,  half  carrying  his  com- 
panion in  his  arms,  he  ran  with  her  until  a 
safe  distance  separated  him  from  possible 
pursuers.  Then  they  resumed  their  inter- 
rupted way  toward  the  edge  of  the  plain. 

"Were  they  robbers?"  asked  the  girl,  as 
she  regained  her  breath  after  their  rapid  flight. 


168  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  Yea,  robbers,"  he  replied,  "  or  perad ven- 
ture stragglers  from  Gilgal.  It  seemed  to 
my  startled  ears  that  he  spake  to  me  in  He- 
brew, yet  the  name  he  called  is  not  one  given 
among  my  people.  But  what  matters  it  ?  Be 
he  Jew  or  Canaanite,  soldier  or  robber,  the 
danger  were  equal  and  the  escape  welcome." 

They  now  found  themselves  on  the  border 
of  the  plain  that  extended  down  to  the  sur- 
rounding belt  of  palm-trees,  and  a  short 
search  disclosed  a  small  hollow  among  the 
ruins,  a  sort  of  artificial  cave  formed  by 
fallen  timbers  which  rested  upon  blocks  of 
stone.  It  afforded  a  perfect  concealment  to 
such  as  might  need  it,  for  the  opening  was 
small  and  offered  no  temptation  to  an  ex- 
plorer. 

Here  then  Adriel  bade  his  companion  re- 
main hidden  until  he  could  cross  to  the  camp 
and  return  with  -animals  which  should  bear 
them  to  a  place  of  safety ;  and,  leaving  his 
mantle  behind  him  that  his  speed  might  be 
hindered  the  less,  he  ran  swiftly  across  the 


THE  BITTERNESS  OF  DEATH.  169 

plain  and  plunged  into  the  shadow  of  the 
palms.  Without  checking  his  speed,  he 
bounded  on  through  the  wide  spaces  of  the 
grove  where  the  moon  threw  the  shadows  of 
tall  trees  across  his  path,  trees  that  swayed 
with  a  graceful  motion  which  seemed  to  give 
life  to  the  phantoms  of  their  forms  in  the 
eyes  of  an  imagination  excited  and  over- 
wrought by  contending  tides  of  superstitious 
dread. 

Quickening  his  pace,  he  soon  bounded  clear 
of  the  ghostly  shapes  of  the  forest  and 
reached  the  confines  of  the  camp. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    FLIGHT    OF    HOPE. 

T  was  no  easy  task  for  one  bound  on 
a  doubtful  errand  to  penetrate  un- 
observed into  that  warlike  camp,  to 
pass  among  the  tents  of  thousands  of  men  who 
slept  but  to  wake  for  war,  and  whom  the 
perils  of  battle  and  the  desert  had  made 
watchful  and  suspicious.  Yet  to-night  the 
attempt  was  fraught  with  uncommon  danger. 

Sleep — even  such  as  was  accustomed  to 
hold  sway — was  banished  from  every  tent, 
while  on  every  side  were  prayers  and  sacri- 
fices and  ablutions  to  make  ready  for  the 
stern  scenes  upon  which  to-morrow's  sun 
should  look  down. 

True,  an  Israelite  could  wander  about  with- 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  171 

out  exciting  attention  or  remark,  but  it  was 
a  doubtful  thing  if  any  man  could  venture 
forth  without  exciting  suspicion  that  he  went 
to  shun  what  he  knew  would  be  a  judgment 
upon  his  misdeeds.  If,  in  addition  to  this,  he 
should  have  the  temerity  to  go  forth  with 
beasts  of  burden,  that  suspicion  would  be- 
come a  certainty  and  a  certainty  which,  in 
the  highly  excited  state  of  men's  minds,  it 
would  be  highly  dangerous  to  induce. 

As  Adriel  passed  toward  the  tents  of  his 
family,  the  full  difficulty  and  danger  of  his 
position  were  well  before  him,  but  an  excuse 
occurred  to  his  mind  which  he  hoped  would 
be  sufficient  to  disarm  any  distrust  which  his 
actions  might  cause. 

Revolving  this  over,  he  gained  his  father's 
tent.  Five  asses  were  tied  by  thongs  to  the 
pegs  that  held  its  edges  to  the  earth.  To 
step  forward  and  loose  the  halters  that  fast- 
ened the  two  swiftest  of  the  group,  was  the 
work  of  a  moment,  and,  unobserved  so  far,  he 
commenced  to  lead  them  cautiously  toward 


172  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

the  western  gate,  at  which  point  it  was  prob- 
able that  the  greatest  danger  was  to  be  appre- 
hended. He  had  noticed  when  he  entered 
that  a  small  guard  had  been  stationed  near 
by,  and  he  could  hardly  hope  to  pass  out 
unquestioned  from  under  their  very  eyes. 

Fortune  seemed  to  favor  his  movements, 
for  he  had  gained  the  very  gate  without  ex- 
citing attention,  and  this  fact  seemed  to  augur 
that,  if  destruction  was  his  doom,  the  outraged 
Power  which  condemned  him  was  unaccount- 
ably failing  to  take  advantage  of  the  fairest 
opportunity  of  thwarting  rebellious  designs. 
Safety,  however,  was  not  yet  quite  assured, 
for,  as  the  fugitive  led  his  animals  through 
the  aperture,  a  sudden  exclamation  from  the 
guard,  followed  by  a  clashing  of  arms,  told 
him  that  he  was  observed. 

The  first  thought  that  arose  was  to  throw 
himself  upon  one  of  the  beasts  and  urge  his 
way  over  the  plain  with  the  other  in  lead, 
but  an  instant's  reflection  revealed  the  wild- 
ness  of  such  a  step.  It  could  not  fail  to 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  173 

bring  about  immediate  pursuit,  and  he  had 
no  start  sufficient  to  insure  his  safety,  con- 
sidering that  he  must  seek  Elissa,  must  stop 
and  assist  her  to  mount,  and  then  resume  his 
way  before  his  pursuers  should  come  up.  The 
temper  of  the  Israelites  that  night  he  well 
knew  would  be  such  as  would  press  no  half- 
hearted pursuit.  Reverting,  therefore,  to  the 
scheme  which  had  flashed  across  his  mind  for 
such  an  emergency,  he  halted  and  waited 
with  trepidation  for  the  aroused  guards.  A 
dozen  men  with  drawn  weapons  were  around 
him  in  an  instant,  and  their  captain  stepped 
forward  and  accosted  him. 

"Wherefore  dost  thou  go  forth  to-night, 
my  son,  with  beasts  of  burden  as  though  for 
a  journey  ? " 

Choking  down  his  fear  with  a  mighty  effort, 
Adriel  made  answer  boldly  : 

"Is  not  my  lord  aware  that  many  are 
going  forth  to  the  mountains  to  succor  the 
wounded  who  may  have  fallen  by  the  way  in 
the  flight  of  yesterday  ?  " 


174  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

"  Thou  art  late  for  such  work,"  replied  the 
other,  suspiciously.  "Joshua  sent  many  out 
during  the  day.  Doubtless  they  are  sufficient, 
nor  is  it  wise  that  one  man  should  go  alone 
into  the  mountains." 

Adriel's  heart  sunk  within  him  as  he  saw 
the  cloud  of  doubt  settling  down  over  the 
captain's  mind.  He  started  to  speak  again 
with  a  faltering  voice : 

"  Let  my  lord  know  that  those  who  were 
dear  to  his  servant  have  not  yet  come  in, 
and—  '  here  a  soldier  plucked  the  officer's 
sleeve  and  said : 

"Is  not  this  Adriel,  the  son  of  Achan,  a 
man  of  Judah  ?  Know  that  it  is  rumored 
that  he  loves  Miriam,  the  daughter  of  Ozias 
who  they  say  hath  fallen  before  Ai.  This 
surely  is  a  man  trusted  by  the  princes." 

"  Art  thou  he  of  whom  he  telleth  ? "  asked 
the  captain,  again  turning  to  Adriel,  who, 
grasping  the  offered  chance,  replied  promptly : 

"  It  is  even  so,  and  thy  servant  goeth  out 
now  that  he  may  seek  the  body  of  him  who 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  175 

was  slain  leading  the  ranks  of  Israel,  lest  the 
heathen  cover  it  with  insults." 

The  look  of  suspicion  disappeared  from 
the  officer's  face.  What  more  natural  than 
that  the  lover  of  the  daughter  should  go 
forth  to  rescue  the  father's  body  ?  With  a 
softened  voice  he  spoke,  at  the  same  time 
stepping  aside  from  the  fugitive's  path  : 

"  Go  in  peace !  and  may  Jehovah  be  with 
thee." 

As  Adriel  passed  beyond  the  camp  and 
heard  the  voices  of  the  guards  dying  away  in 
the  distance,  a  feeling  of  exultation  took  the 
place  of  his  late  distrust  and  depression. 
Had  not  Jehovah  and  Ashtaroth  but  just  now 
joined  battle?  And  had  not  the  latter,  in 
chicane  at  least,  proved  too  powerful  for  the 
God  of  his  fathers  ?  Was  not  this  an  omen 
that  in  future  combats  she  would  prevail  in 
his  behalf  and  cover  him  from  the  vengeance 
which  he  feared  ? 

Filled  with  such  dreams,  he  urged  on  his 
beasts  and  hurried  over  the  space  that  sepa- 


176  THE  SPELL   OF  A8HTAROTH. 

rated  him  from  his  beloved  and  from  liberty 
and  life.  Now  he  was  among  the  palm-trees; 
now  he  emerged  again  into  the  narrow  space 
that  separated  them  from  the  city.  He  could 
see  the  portion  of  the  fallen  wall  that  marked 
the  spot  of  Elissa's  concealment,  and  from 
which  but  a  few  hundred  feet  now  parted 
him. 

Hark !  He  stopped  short  and  listened  in- 
tently. Were  not  those  human  voices  that 
came  to  him,  borne  upon  the  light  air  of  the 
night  ?  Surely  !  And  apparently  proceeding 
from  the  very  point  which  he  sought.  Were 
they  robbers  passing  by  ?  Had  they  dis- 
covered her,  or  had  she  fled,  or  was  she  still 
hidden  ?  The  uncertainty  was  maddening, 
and  yet  he  could  do  naught  but  wait,  for  it 
was  evident  from  the  sounds  that  there  were 
far  too  many  for  one  man  to  attack  with  any 
chance  of  success. 

While  he  hesitated  in  choosing  whether  to 
remain  where  he  stood  or  draw  back  into  the 
shelter  of  the  trees  until  the  way  should  be 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  177 

clear,  his  fortunes  fell  as  rapidly  as  they 
had  seemed  to  rise.  One  of  the  beasts  he  led, 
aroused  by  the  sound  of  the  strange  voices, 
suddenly  threw  back  its  head  and  uttered  a 
harsh  bray. 

Thoroughly  alarmed,  Adriel  turned  to  lead 
his  animals  to  some  more  sheltered  spot  where 
they  might  elude  the  eyes  of  those  who  he 
knew  would  be  sure  to  institute  immediate 
search ;  but  it  was  impossible  to  guide  two 
stubborn  brutes  at  a  sufficient  speed  to  escape 
from  unencumbered  pursuers.  As  he  pressed 
on  he  could  hear  the  voices  drawing  momen- 
tarily nearer  and  calling  to  each  other  as 
the  men  spread  out  to  intercept  the  prize. 
Then  it  was  that  a  new  thought  came  to 
him. 

He  was  not  yet  seen.  His  pursuers  could 
have  no  means  of  knowing  that  there  were 
more  animals  than  one.  He  could  leave  that 
one,  and,  escaping  among  the  palm-trees  with 
the  other,  bide  his  time. 

Hurriedly  he  dropped  the  halter   of  the 

13 


178  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTABOTH. 

beast  that  had  betrayed  him,  which,  feeling 
itself  free,  stopped  and  commenced  grazing. 
But  now  a  new  difficulty  arose.  When  he 
endeavored  to  redouble  his  speed  with  his  re- 
maining charge,  the  ass,  perhaps  envying  the 
happy  condition  of  his  liberated  companion, 
set  his  fore  feet  firmly  in  the  ground  and  re- 
fused to  move. 

Already  Adriel  heard  the  pursuers  close 
upon  him.  He  felt  that  his  very  movements 
must  soon  betray  his  presence,  and  nothing 
short  of  Elissa  herself  in  hostile  hands  could 
justify  the  f oolhardiness  of  an  attack.  Should 
he  be  discovered,  such  little  chance  as  still  re- 
mained for  her  final  rescue  would  be  lost  for- 
ever; so,  muttering  a  fierce  imprecation,  he 
left  the  refractory  animal  and  plunged  into 
the  shelter  of  the  grove. 

Concealed  behind  the  broad  trunk  of  a  tree, 
he  saw  a  dozen  men  come  up  to  where  the 
asses  stood,  and  gather  around  them.  Armor 
glistened  in  the  moonlight,  and  voices  rose  as 
they  spoke  together  in  the  Hebrew  dialect,  a 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  179 

speech  more  terrible  to  Adriel's  ears  than  the 
jargon  of  demons. 

"  Truly,"  said  one,  "  these  must  have  strayed 
over  from  Gilgal." 

"  Yea,"  answered  a  comrade,  "  and  it  is  well 
they  have,  for  they  will  aid  us  to  carry  in  the 
wounded  men  to-morrow.  Come  !  let  us  turn 
back  and  sleep." 

As  they  moved  off  toward  the  point  where 
they  had  left  their  companions,  a  full  realiza- 
tion of  the  truth  came  over  him.  These  were 
Jews  ;  either  fugitives  from  the  battle  or  one 
of  the  many  bands  Joshua  had  sent  out  to  aid 
the  wounded  and  collect  the  stragglers.  It 
was  evident  from  what  they  had  said  that 
there  were  wounded  men  among  them,  and 
only  too  clear  that,  whether  for  their  sake  or 
on  account  of  fatigue,  the  company  had  set- 
tled themselves  where  they  lay  to  rest  for  the 
night.  A  cold  sweat  broke  out  upon  him  as 
he  foresaw  the  impending  consequences  of 
these  new  misfortunes.  Ashtaroth  had  not 
yet  made  her  triumph  sure. 


180  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

One  thing  he  felt  must  be  determined,  and 
that,  too,  at  once.  He  must  discover  whether 
Elissa  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  his  people. 
If  so — and  a  dangerous  expression  swept  over 
his  handsome  but  now  haggard  and  careworn 
features — he  had  still  his  sword,  and,  be  the 
result  what  it  might,  he  could  throw  himself 
among  her  captors  and  perish,  fighting  and 
slaying  to  the  last. 

Filled  with  such  thoughts,  he  left  his 
shelter,  and  advanced  cautiously  toward  a 
portion  of  the  wall  some  distance  to  one  side 
of  the  spot  where  sounds  still  told  him  that 
the  intruders  were  preparing  to  repose  them- 
selves. From  this,  taking  advantage  of  the 
many  facilities  for  concealment  which  the 
ruins  afforded,  he  drew  near  and  looked  down 
upon  them.  There  they  lay,  ten,  twenty, 
twenty-eight  men;  all  evidently  Jews.  One 
of  them  kept  guard,  and  three  or  four  ap- 
peared to  be  suffering  from  wounds  more  or 
less  serious;  but  no  female  form,  dead  or 
living,  was  to  be  seen,  although  the  entrance 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  181 

to  the  girl's  place  of  concealment  was  actu- 
ally within  the  circle  of  recumbent  forms. 
She  was  safe  for  the  present  at  least. 

The  knowledge  of  this  fact  was  as  a 
momentary  reprieve  to  the  mind  of  Adriel, 
but  a  consciousness  of  the  deep  peril  of  the 
situation,  even  at  its  best,  gave  him  short 
time  for  congratulation.  Either  the  maiden 
was  still  hidden  in  the  ruin  or  else  she  had 
seen  the  party  approaching  and  had  had  time 
to  make  good  her  escape.  If  the  latter  were 
true  she  would  unquestionably  have  sought 
the  hut,  her  old  place  of  refuge. 

Thither  then  he  bent  his  steps  with  the 
hope  that  an  escape  even  on  foot  might  be 
effected  before  the  day  broke.  As  he  drew 
near,  the  open  entrance  filled  him  with  ap- 
prehension— apprehension  too  soon  substan- 
tiated, for  the  place  was  empty  as  on  the 
day  he  first  discovered  it. 

For  a  moment  the  man  stood  gazing  into 
the  hollow  darkness,  and  then  he  leaned 
against  one  of  the  stone  door-posts  and  his 


182  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

strong  frame  seemed  to  sway  and  shiver 
under  the  shock  of  contending  emotions. 

He  did  not  weep ;  he  did  not  cry  out ;  but 
the  pallor  of  his  dark  face,  the  working  lips, 
and  the  clenching  and  the  unclenching  of 
his  hands  told  of  feelings  which  voice  or 
tears  were  powerless  to  interpret. 

This  then  was  the  end  of  all.  Even  at 
the  moment  when  he  had  deemed  him- 
self past  all  obstacles  the  tide  of  battle  had 
turned,  and  the  new  deity  in  whom  he  had 
put  his  trust  had  gone  down  before  the 
irresistible  might  of  the  ancient  God.  The 
fiat  had '  gone  forth,  and  the  lot  had  been 
against  him.  With  the  strong  sentiment  of 
fatality  characteristic  of  the  Oriental  mind 
he  prepared  to  compose  himself  for  the  stroke. 
It  were  useless  to  struggle  longer.  If  he 
remained,  he  could  only  bring  down  imme- 
diate destruction  upon  her  also ;  for  his  con- 
tinued absence  and  the  discovery  of  the  ep- 
isode of  the  captured  asses,  would  put  men 
upon  his  track  whose  pursuit  he  could  not 


THE  FLIGHT  OF  HOPE.  183 

hope  to  escape,  encumbered  as  he  would  be 
by  a  delicate  woman.  No !  Fatalism  and 
reason  united  to  drive  him  back  to  the  camp, 
before  a  search  should  be  instituted.  In 
case  he  were  questioned  as  to  his  unperformed 
task,  the  pretext  stood  ready.  His  beasts 
had  escaped  from  him,  and  without  them  it 
were  useless  to  go  on. 

Making  a  long  detour  in  order  to  avoid 
being  seen,  he  commenced  his  journey  back 
with  a  heart  full  of  grim  forebodings.  For 
the  immediate  safety  of  Elissa  there  was 
nothing  to  fear,  at  least  nothing  which  he 
had  any  chance  of  preventing.  She  had 
evidently  not  been  discovered  as  yet,  and 
the  chances  of  her  ultimate  concealment 
were  therefore  increased.  When  the  scouting 
party  should  rise  up  to  move,  there  would 
be  haste  to  return  to  Gilgal,  and  surely  noth- 
ing to  tempt  a  close  scrutiny  of  such  un- 
promising surroundings.  On  their  leaving 
the  ground,  he  felt  positive  that  she  would 
go  back  at  once  to  the  hut,  where  she 


184 


THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 


would    be   at   least  as  safe  as  she  had  been 
before  the  unfortunate  events  of  the  night. 

Thus  musing  he  entered  the  camp  unno- 
ticed, and  made  his  way  to  his  tent  as  the 
first  glimmer  of  the  morning  began  to  redden 
the  distant  hill-tops. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE   DRAWING    OF   THE    LOT. 

HERE  had  been  little  sleep  among 
the  tents  during  the  night  which 
followed  the  defeat  at  Ai.  Weary 
and  haggard  with  the  long  hours  of  sleepless- 
ness, terror,  and  awe — hours  during  which  the 
priests  had  prayed  and  offered  sacrifice,  and 
the  people  had  struggled  to  prepare  their 
minds  for  another  terrible  revelation  of  the 
power  of  their  offended  Deity — weary  and 
haggard,  Israel  came  forth  from  their  tents, 
and,  with  downcast  eyes  and  wavering  steps, 
turned  toward  the  western  plain,  where  even 
now  the  trumpets  summoned  them  to  assem- 
ble. 

Adriel  too,  led  by  an  irresistible  impulse 


186  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

to  know  at  once  the  worst  that  might  be  in 
store,  hurried  on  among  the  foremost  of  those 
who  answered  the  summons.  There  were 
many  faces  pale  with  fatigue  and  ghastly 
with  awe  among  the  hurrying  mass,  and  his, 
though  a  shade  paler  and  more  ghastly  than 
those  around,  escaped  notice  and  comment  on 
the  part  of  men  too  absorbed  in  their  own 
emotions  to  observe  those  of  others. 

So  the  tide  surged  through  the  western 
gate,  and  swept  around  a  rising  ground  on 
which  were  stationed  all  the  powers,  human 
and  emblematic,  that  swayed  the  fortunes  of 
the  nation.  There  stood  Joshua,  worn  with 
prayer  and  watching,  but  stern  and  deter- 
mined. There  Eleazer,  sad  and  solemn,  clad 
in  all  the  gorgeous  panoply  of  his  sacred 
office.  There  Caleb  and  the  princes  and 
elders  of  the  people,  with  downcast  eyes  and 
awestruck  faces,  while  before  them  and  in 
full  view  of  the  multitude  was  that  purple 
canopy  which  concealed  the  sacred  things  of 
Jehovah. 


THE  DBA  WING  OF  THE  LOT.  187 

Around  the  knoll  and  stretching  far  away 
over  the  plain  was  a  vast  and  surging  sea  of 
upturned  faces,  mustered  according  to  tribes 
and  families.  Israel  had  come  forth  at  the 
sound  of  the  trumpet  to  meet  such  judgment 
as  might  be  passed,  even  though  fire  came 
down  from  heaven  to  consume  them,  even 
though  the  earth  should  yawn  and  gather  a 
tithe  of  their  thousands  into  its  cavernous 
bosom,  as  Nadab  and  Abihu  had  disappeared 
from  the  eyes  of  their  fathers. 

Joshua  raised  his  hand  and  stepped  for- 
ward beside  the  Ark. 

"  Listen,  O  Israel ! "  he  said ;  and  there 
was  silence.  "Listen,  O  Israel!  and  draw 
near  that  ye  shall  look  upon  the  manifesta- 
tion of  Jehovah's  might;  not  in  thunder  and 
lightning  and  tempest ;  not  in  rocking  or  gap- 
ing of  the  broad  earth,  but  that  his  will  shall 
be  done  of  men  even  as  he  shall  reveal 
it."  Then,  turning  his  head,  he  said  to 
those  behind  him :  "  Let  the  lots  be  brought 
forth." 


188  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH 

Immediately  two  priests,  clad  in  their  flow- 
ing garments  of  linen,  stepped  out  before  the 
Ark,  and  placed-  upon  a  low,  broad  stone 
which  served  as  a  pedestal  one  of  the  golden 
vessels  of  the  tabernacle.  Then  they  drew 
back,  and  for  a  moment  Joshua  stood  silent, 
while  the  deadly  stillness  of  awful  anticipa- 
tion seemed  to  oppress  all. 

Once  more  the  Captain  turned  toward  the 
sacred  emblem  of  Jehovah's  will,  and,  raising 
his  arms  to  heaven,  spoke  with  Grod. 

"  O  Lord  !  God  of  Israel  !  may  it  please 
thee  to  look  down  upon  the  multitudes  of 
thy  people  gathered  together  even  as  thou 
didst  command.  Stand  forth  now,  thou  Al- 
mighty One,  and  show  thy  power  unto  this 
nation,  that  they  may  truly  see  that  as  thy 
laws  are  wise,  so  thy  punishments  are  sure 
and  terrible.  Do  judgment  here  between 
the  innocent  and  the  guilty,  and  let  not 
him  that  hath  done  this  thing  hide  'neath 
the  mantle  of  darkness.  Let  the  lot  bound 
at  thy  will,  that  all  Israel  may  know  that 


TEE  DRAWING  OF  THE  LOT.  189 

they  cannot  transgress  and  hide  away  from 
Thy  wrath." 

He  ceased,  and  from  the  great  multitude  of 
bowed  heads  there  rose  a  deep  amen !  and 
then  their  eyes  again  sought  the  circle  of 
princes  and  the  Ark. 

They  saw  Joshua  turn  toward  the  assem- 
bled elders  and  speak  to  them,  though  his 
words  reached  not  the  people;  and  as  he 
spoke  they  saw  twelve  princes,  one  for  each 
tribe,  step  out  from  among  the  chiefs  and 
stand  grave  and  silent  before  the  urn  and  the 
purple  canopy. 

For  a  moment  each  seemed  to  hesitate  and 
draw  back  as  though  to  allow  others  to  make 
the  dread  trial  first,  until  an  old  man  with 
bent  form  and  snowy  beard  moved  forward. 
It  was  Uzziah,  of  the  tribe  of  Reuben,  and 
with  eager  looks  his  tribesmen  bent  toward 
him  as  he  plunged  his  arm  deep  down  into 
the  sacred  urn.  When  he  drew  it  forth  and 
held  his  hand  up  to  heaven,  the  sun  shone 
upon  something  white  between  his  fingers,  and 


190  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

a  deep  murmur  of  relief  swept  through  the 
dark  ranks.  He  held  a  white  pebble,  and 
Reuben  at  least  stood  safe  and  purged  from 
the  guilt. 

As  Uzziah  passed  over  into  the  group  be- 
hind the  Ark,  the  dark  stern  brow  and  close- 
curled  grizzled  beard  of  Mican,  prince  of  the 
house  of  Benjamin,  were  seen  before  the  fatal 
urn.  Swiftly  the  hand  plunged  in,  and  as 
swiftly  came  forth.  Again  a  murmur  rose 
from  another  quarter  of  the  great  circle,  as 
the  men  of  Benjamin  looked  upon  the  white 
token  of  their  release,  which  he  held  out 
proudly  toward  them. 

And  now,  one  after  another,  they  stepped 
forward  as  eager  to  be  the  first  to  taste  of 
escape  as  they  had  before  hung  back  dread- 
ing the  voice  of  condemnation.  Ephraim, 
Dan,  Gad,  had  drawn  out  the  white  pebbles, 
and  as  the  numbers  of  the  released  grew 
greater,  so  the  tension  of  agony  and  suspense 
drew  tighter  upon  those  whose  fate  still 
trembled  in  the  balance. 


THE  DRAWING  OF  THE  LOT.  191 

Then  Beriah  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  drew 
near  to  the  fatal  vessel,  and,  with  a  look  of 
confidence  and  pride  in  his  clear-cut  features, 
reached  down  into  its  depths.  Surely  there 
could  be  no  condemnation  for  the  great  tribe, 
the  favored  one  which  stood  in  the  forefront 
of  battle  and  received  the  brunt  of  the  hos- 
tile attack  until  it  should  wear  itself  away 
upon  their  steady  ranks.  The  hand  came 
forth,  and  he  held  it  up  that  all  might  see. 
An  exclamation  of  horror  and  dismay  burst 
from  those  around,  and  the  multitude,  quick 
to  catch  its  import,  re-echoed  the  groan. 

In  vain  the  men  of  Judah,  inspired  with  a 
foreboding  hardly  to  be  conceived,  pressed 
forward  up  the  hill.  Why  did  he  not  hold 
the  stone  so  that  the  glancing  rays  of  the  sun 
would  disclose  its  white  surface  ?  Why  did 
his  hand  tremble  and  fall  nerveless  by  his 
side,  while  his  dark  face  blanched  under  the 
sharpness  of  the  blow  ?  The  stone  lay  upon 
the  grass,  where  it  had  fallen,  for  all  men  to 
see  ;  black  with  the  shadow  of  death.  Then, 


192  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

amid  the  dead  hush  that  followed  the  verdict, 
the  others  stepped  forward,  one  by  one,  and 
drew  out  with  confidence  the  white  badges 
of  their  innocence. 

And  now  the  first  test  was  over.  Even 
among  those  who  came  safe  from  the  peril 
there  was  no  exultation,  for  was  not  the  great 
tribe  which  stood  among  them  like  a  giant  in 
armor,  plunged  down  into  desolation?  Was 
not  the  pride  of  all  Israel  humbled  in  the 
dust,  in  the  stigma  that  had  fallen  upon  her 
mightiest  ? 

But  short  time  was  given  for  terror  or  exul- 
tation had  the  latter  shown  a  tendency  to 
spring  up ;  for  Joshua,  like  a  wary  leader  of 
men,  saw  well  that  the  strain  must  be  re- 
lieved before  it  grew  too  severe,  before  some 
wild  unreasoning  panic  should  arise,  and  the 
people  should  strive  to  fly,  or  should  draw 
their  swords  upon  each  other.  True,  the 
tension  was  relaxed  upon  the  greater  mass, 
but  how  much  tighter  it  must  draw  upon 
those  who  still  felt  the  cord  ! 


THE  DEAWINO  OF  THE  LOT.  193 

He  came  forward  again  and  spoke  in  a 
loud,  clear  voice,  while  Eleazer  replaced  the 
pebbles  of  fate  in  the  golden  urn. 

"  Let  the  heads  of  the  families  of  the  tribe 
of  Judah  stand  forth,  that  the  Lord  may  judge 
between  them." 

Forward  they  pressed :  old  men  with 
snowy  hair  and  beards,  their  energies  rallied 
for  the  awful  trial  which  should  wind  closer 
the  web  around  the  guilty.  One  after  an- 
other stood  before  the  urn  and  drew  forth 
the  white  stone  and  turned  back  among 
the  people,  while  through  the  marked  tribe, 
tears  and  cries  of  joy  and  gathered  brows  and 
quick-drawn  breath  marked  the  line  between 
those  who  had  passed  through  the  ordeal 
unscathed  and  those  who  still  lingered  within 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and 
marked  too  the  fast  disappearing  bonds  of 
self-control  as  the  struggle  drew  nearer  to  an 
end.  But  when  nearly  all  drawn  and  Nahaliel, 
of  the  family  of  the  Zarhites,  disclosed  on  his 
open  palm  the  dreaded  symbol  of  condemna- 

13 


194  TEE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAEOTH. 

tion,  then  the  word  passed  down  through 
the  surging  human  sea. 

"  It  is  the  sons  of  Zerah  that  are  taken  ! 
Let  their  houses  stand  forth  to  be  judged  ! " 

Still  struggling  to  withstand  the  increasing 
weight  that  fell  upon  them,  the  heads  of  the 
houses  came  up  before  the  Ark,  though  many 
a  step  swerved  in  its  path ;  and  then  for  a 
few  brief  moments  that  awful  stillness  when 
men's  hearts  are  heard  to  beat,  fell  over  all ; 
again  to  be  broken  by  the  cry  that  swelled 
up  into  a  fierce  shout : 

"  It  is  the  household  of  Zabdi,  the  son  of 
Zerah  !  They  are  marked  with  the  accursed 
mark  !  Quick  !  Let  their  men  approach  and 
stand  before  Jehovah  !  " 

Through  the  ages  of  that  dreadful  trial, 
through  the  gradual  narrowing  of  the  circle 
that  bound  him  in,  Adriel  had  stood  as  one 
under  some  unknown  spell.  He  saw  the 
moment  to  which  he  had  looked  forward 
drawing  near,  and  yet  his  mind  began  to  ease 
itself  at  the  promised  substitution  of  certainty 


THE  DRA  WING  OF  THE  LOT.  195 

for  suspense.  He  found  himself  looking  at 
the  scene  before  him  and  listening  to  the 
words  spoken  as  though  they  concerned  him 
not,  and  regarding  himself  as  though  he  were 
some  stranger  in  whom  he  felt  no  interest  sav- 
ing only  curiosity.  But  now,  when  the  last  cry 
had  gone  up  from  the  mouth  of  the  multitude 
and  he  saw  fierce  eyes  glaring  at  him  from  all 
sides  and  felt  himself  seized  by  strong  hands 
which  hurried  him  forward  through  the 
crowd,  the  full  consciousness  of  the  situation 
dawned  upon  him  and  he  realized  all  its  peril 
and  the  hopelessness  of  escape. 

Gradually,  during  the  drawing  of  the  lots, 
the  feelings  of  the  great  crowd  had  under- 
gone a  change.  First,  general  terror  and  awe 
predominated.  Then,  as  the  consciousness  of 
personal  peril  passed  from  each  man,  the  nat- 
ural reaction  had  begun  to  set  in,  until,  as 
they  had  before  feared  for  themselves,  so  they 
now  turned  with  fierce,  wolfish  eyes  upon  the 
gradually  lessening  band  among  whom  was  he 
who  had  exposed  Israel  to  the  ordeal.  There 


196  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

was  a  growing  impulse  among  the  people, 
an  impulse  tending  to  break  bounds  at  any 
moment,  to  wait  no  longer  for  the  slow  proc- 
ess of  the  trial,  but  to  take  instant  revenge, 
under  the  guise  of  justice,  upon  all  those 
within  the  accursed  pale.  Fortunate  was  it 
that  these  feelings  gained  no  earlier  headway. 
Had  they  been  manifested  toward  any  large 
proportion  of  the  multitude,  as  for  instance 
against  the  tribe  of  Judah  or  even  one  of  its 

O 

great  families,  but  a  little  spark  had  kindled 
a  flame  to  be  quenched  only  in  an  ocean  of 
blood.  That  flame  of  intestine  strife,  when 
once  lighted  among  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
armed  men  each  one  swayed  by  an  overmas- 
tering personal  excitement,  can  die  out  only 
in  death  or  haply  at  the  mandate  of  a  god. 
But  now,  when  the  pent-up  feelings  burst 
forth  against  but  a  single  household,  resist- 
ance was  powerless  to  lift  its  head,  and,  half 
moving  of  their  own  accord,  half  pushed,  half 
dragged  forward  by  scores  of  nervous  arms, 
the  men  of  the  ho  isehold  of  Zabdi,  pale  and 


THE  DRAWING  OF  THE  LOT.  197 

trembling,  mounted  the  little  hillock  where 
stood  the  Ark  and  the  golden  urn  and  the 
Captain  and  princes  and  elders  of  Israel. 

One  by  one,  the  line  of  men  filed  slowly  by 
the  urn,  and  each  as  he  passed  displayed  aloft 
in  his  hand  the  lot  which  had  fallen  to  him. 

Adriel  drew  near — nearer  still.  His  time 
was  fast  approaching.  One  moment  more 
and  the  black  polished  surface  of  the  doom- 
stone  would  rest  in  his  palm,  and  then — . 
Now  there  were  but  three  before  him.  Sud- 
denly the  line  stopped.  There  was  a  low 
murmur  in  front  while  a  mad  yell  broke  up- 
ward from  the  seething  mass  below  as  they 
caught  the  import  of  the  pause.  Again  the 
yell  swelled  heavenward,  and  now  an  articu- 
late sound  seemed  mingled  with  its  fierce 
clamor.  It  was  a  name.  Had  he  uncon- 
sciously drawn  his  lot,  and  was  it  his  name 
they  called  ?  To  his  dazed  senses  the  sound 
seemed  familiar.  And  now  it  rose  yet  a  third 
time  and  more  distinct.  It  was  "  Achan,  the 
son  of  Zabdi ! "  and  passing  a  hurried  hand  be- 


198  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

fore  his  eyes,  Adriel  for  the  first  time  looked 
forward. 

He  saw  the  figure  of  his  father  amid  a  fast- 
closing  circle  of  dark-browed  chiefs,  whose 
grim  eyes  glowered  upon  the  victim,  and 
whose  hands  clutched  nervously  at  hilt  of 
sword  and  dagger. 

In  vain  the  young  man  struggled  to  com- 
prehend the  scene  before  him.  Was  it  that 
the  curse  of  sin  and  rebellion  had  descended 
upon  his  whole  race,  or  had  the  skill  of  Ash- 
taroth  once  more  turned  the  tide  of  battle, 
and  shifted  from  him  the  punishment  while 
she  yet  pacified  the  God  of  Israel  with  a  vic- 
tim of  the  offender's  blood  ? 

As  this  thought  rose  in  his  mind,  he  strove 
to  force  his  way  forward  against  the  mad 
rush  that  bore  him  back — the  rush  of  those 
who  gathered  to  revile  and,  if  need  be,  over- 
come a  presumably  desperate  criminal ;  and, 
as  he  pressed  on,  he  shouted : 

"  Stand  back  !  I  tell  ye,  it  is  //  /,  the  son  of 
Achan,  and  not  he,  who  hath  done  this  thing." 


THE  DRA  WING  OF  THE  LOT.  199 

Then  a  heavy  hand  fell  upon  his  shoulder. 
The  faces  of  those  around  turned  threaten- 
ingly toward  him  and  a  voice  said : 

"  Art  thou  indeed  his  son  ?  Know  then 
that  the  word  is  but  now  passed  down  that 
the  man  hath  confessed  his  crime  unto  the 
Captain,  so  thou  liest  when  thou  sayest  thou 
art  he  who  hath  brought  misery  upon  Israel." 

A  strange  expression  passed  over  the  face 
of  Adriel — an  expression  of  wonder,  of  uncer- 
tainty as  to  his  right  understanding,  of  doubt 
as  to  his  fortune  or  misfortune — an  expression 
born  of  the  revulsion  that  swept  over  and  the 
conflicting  emotions  that  surged  within  him. 

The  soldier,  whose  hand  still  rested  upon 
the  youth's  shoulder,  observed  the  working 
of  his  face  but  could  not  probe  the  turmoil 
of  half-formed  thoughts  that  painted  such 
strong  lines.  Then  he  laughed  with  a  short, 
harsh  laugh,  and  said : 

"But  doubtless,  friend,  thou  shalt  be  grati- 
fied in  thy  desire  for  death.  Dost  thou  re- 
call how  it  is  commanded  that  the  punish- 


200  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

ment  fall  upon  the  offender  and  those  of  his 
family — aye,  and  destruction  upon  all  that  he 
hath  ?  Nay,  nay,"  he  added,  as  he  watched 
the  face  of  him  he  addressed,  "  doubt  not  but 
thatthou  shalt  pay  for  aught  thou  hast  done, 
even  though  the  lot  fell  not  upon  thee." 

The  words,  fraught  with  all  their  meaning, 
came  yet  again  upon  the  ears  of  Adriel  as 
though  they  had  been  the  sentence  passed 
upon  a  stranger.  The  sudden  succession  of 
awful  events  seemed  to  have  dazed  his  senses, 
and  wonder  at  the  course  affairs  had  taken 
took  away  all  consciousness  of  his  perilous 
position.  He  found  himself  admitting  the 
truth  of  what  his  captor  had  said;  but  yet 
his  principal  sentiment  was  amazement  that 
he  should  suffer  for  the  fault  of  another 
rather  than  his  own.  Meanwhile  his  self- 
constituted  guards  were  hurrying  him  along 
toward  the  camp,  but  with  what  exact  ob- 
ject they  seemed  to  know  as  little  as  him- 
self. 

Then  he   became   vaguely  conscious  that 


THE  DRAWING  OF  THE  LOT.  201 

they  had  halted,  and  a  voice  as  of  one  in  au- 
thority seemed  to  address  them  : 

"  Who  is  this  man,  and  whither  do  ye  take 
him?" 

Several  answered  at  once  : 

"  It  is  one  of  the  accursed  race.  It  is  a  son 
of  Achan,  the  son  of  Zabdi." 

As  they  answered,  Adriel  looked  up  toward 
the  man  to  whom  they  spoke. 

It  was  Caleb,  the  son  of  Jephunneh,  and  as 
his  eyes  met  those  of  the  prisoner  the  stern 
face  seemed  to  wear  an  expression  of  pity  that 
contrasted  strongly  with  the  fierce,  wolfish 
looks  of  the  common  people  around.  When 
he  spoke  again,  however,  his  voice  was  un- 
concerned, if  not  severe. 

"  It  is  well,"  he  said.  "  Lead  ye  him  to  Ms 
own  tent.  Give  him  that  which  he  requireth, 
and  set  a  guard  around  the  tent.  This  do 
until  ye  hear  further  orders." 

So  speaking,  Caleb  turned  and  strode  away 
while  the  soldiers  moved  on  with  their  charge 
toward  the  tent  of  Adriel. 


CHAPTER  XVH. 

UNDER    GUAED. 

T  was  well  into  the  beginning  of  the 
watches.  Adriel  lay  upon  the  couch 
of  skins  which  furnished  a  resting- 
place  in  his  tent.  Clothed  only  in  his  white 
tunic  with  arms  bare  to  the  elbow,  he  reclined 
with  both  hands  tight  clasped  behind  his  head 
and  with  sleepless  eyes  that  roved  restlessly 
over  the  rough  interior. 

A  lamp  burned  dimly  upon  a  low  stool, 
displaying  the  figure  of  the  captive  and  also 
the  recumbent  forms  of  two  soldiers  who 
were  stretched  across  the  entrance  to  the  tent, 
and  who  seemed  to  sleep.  Without  was 
heard  from  time  to  time  the  slow  perfunc- 
tory tread  of  those  who  did  guard  duty  there, 


UNDER  GUARD.  203 

and  who  by  their  monotonous  and  weary 
march  strove  to  banish  the  thought  of  sleep 
from  eyes  which  must  not  be  allowed  to  close. 
The  clashing  of  their  arms  came  now  and  then 
to  the  prisoner's  ear,  as  if  to  tell  him  that 
the  toils  were  closing  in,  while  the  hours 
dragged  by. 

Now  the  quick,  dark  eye  of  him  upon  the 
couch  sought  the  forms  of  the  sleeping  guards 
as  though  calculating  the  possibility  of  step- 
ping over  them  whilst  they  slept,  and  then 
— ah,  yes!  then  to  escape  unarmed  past 
those  who  watched  without,  to  thread  his 
way  through  a  fast-arousing  camp  with  the 
alarm  sounding  in  the  rear,  to  gain  the  ram- 
part, cross  it,  and  strike  out  still  unhurt  in  a 
race  for  life  across  the  open  plain. 

Several  times  he  seemed  resolved  upon 
taking  the  chance,  desperate  though  it  might 
be,  and  then,  each  time,  a  grim  thought 
would  make  its  way  into  his  mind  and 
quench  the  rising  fire  of  desperate  resolve. 
Were  the  contest  against  men  alone,  his 


204  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

strength,  his  courage,  his  swiftness  of  foot 
might  make  the  attempt  worth  trying;  but 
what  chance  to  contend  against  the  decrees  of 
the  mysterious  Being  whose  law  he  had  trans- 
gressed, and  who  had  but  just  now  con- 
demned him  to  the  penalty  he  had  provoked  ? 
"Was  it  supposable  that  He  whose  power  had 
availed  to  place  the  lot  where  it  would  in- 
volve the  offender  in  destruction,  was  yet 
so  powerless  as  to  suffer  the  condemned 
felon  to  escape  his  sentence?  Why  was  it 
though,  that  the  punishment  of  his  guilt 
should  fall  indirectly  upon  him  ?  Why  was 
it  that  he  was  to  suffer  for  the  crime  of 
another  rather  than  for  his  own  ?  Here 
was  mystery  which  he  struggled  in  vain  to 
solve.  That  which  had  happened  after  the 
drawing  of  the  lot,  even  while  he  remained 
upon  the  ground,  was  all  a  blank  to  him. 
Perchance  this  might  shed  some  light  upon 
his  darkness. 

Adriel  half  rose  leaning  upon  one  arm,  and 
immediately   one   of    the    recumbent    forms 


UNDER  GUARD.  205 

across  the  door  lifted  its  head  snake-like 
from  the  ground.  It  was  evident  either  that 
the  guards  slept  not  or  that  their  sleep  was 
light. 

"  Friend,"  asked  Adriel,  "  canst  thou  tell  me 
of  the  events  that  happened  when  ye  seized 
me  and  brought  me  here  ?  for  of  a  truth  I 
cannot  recall  them.  There  seems  a  great 
cloud  that  settles  over  my  vision  when  I 
strive  to  look  back  and  remember." 

"Call  me  not  friend,"  the  man  answered 
gruffly.  "The  spawn  of  the  race  that  hath 
brought  confusion  upon  Israel  hath  no  friend 
in  the  camp." 

Adriel's  eye  flashed  and  for  a  moment  he 
seemed  to  meditate  springing  upon  the  speaker 
and  trying  conclusions  with  yet  one  more 
enemy  before  the  sentence  should  fall.  Then 
by  an  effort  he  controlled  his  sudden  passion 
and  answered  carelessly : 

"  As  thou  sayest.  Perchance  thou  knowest 
no  better  than  I." 

The  soldier  still  continued  to  regard  him 


206  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

fixedly  with  head  raised,  and  in  a  moment  he 
spoke  again. 

"  If  thou  knowest  not,  I  will  tell  thee  what 
thou  askest,  though  I  see  not  what  good 
knowledge  will  do  one  who  can  but  keep 
it  until  daylight."  Then,  as  Adriel  seemed 
unmoved  by  the  allusion  to  his  coming  fate, 
the  man  went  on.  "Doubtless  thou  know- 
est that  the  last  lot  fell  upon  thy  father  ? " 

"  Yea,  surely." 

"  Surely,  as  thou  sayest,  else  why  wert  thou 
a  prisoner  here  and  to  die  with  the  rising 
sun?" 

"And  then?" 

"Then  they  bore  him  before  Joshua,  the 
son  of  Nun,  and  he  spake  with  him,  but 
only  those  who  stood  nearest  heard  their 
words,  and  of  these  some  say  one  thing  and 
some  another,  so  that  if  thou  heardest  noth- 
ing thou  knowest  yet  as  well  as  myself ;  but 
mark  you,  after  they  had  spoken,  the  Captain 
called  men  unto  him  and  bade  them  go,  and 
they  ran  unto  thy  father's  tent  and  dug  in  the 


UNDER  GUARD.  207 

ground,  and  behold,  they  found  there  gold  and 
silver  and  fine  raiment  of  great  price." 

"  And  then  ? "  asked  Adriel  quickly,  as  the 
man  paused  to  take  breath. 

"  And  then,"  he  continued,  "  they  brought 
back  the  goods  and  placed  them  before  the 
Captain,  and  he  spake  again  with  Achan, 
and  men  say  he  hath  confessed  that  he  took 
them  for  a  spoil  from  the  city,  nor  delivered 
them  into  the  treasury  as  was  commanded. 
Wherefore  he  dies  and  all  that  he  hath  dies 
and  is  destroyed  with  him.  Wouldst  thou 
hear  more  ? " 

But  Adriel  did  not  answer.  He  was  think- 
ing, and  this  was  the  tenor  of  his  thoughts : 
"  It  is  not  for  fault  of  mine  own  that  I  suffer. 
It  is  for  one  of  which  I  know  nothing,  and 
yet  is  my  condemnation  just.  Judgment 
hath  been  pronounced,  but  it  touches  not  her. 
Why  then  may  not  escape  be  yet  possible  for 
her,  could  she  but  know  what  has  befallen 
and  have  means  at  her  hand  ? " 

So  dreaming,  and  yet  with  a  full  conscious- 


208  THE  SPELL  OF  A8HTAROTH. 

ness  of  his  utter  powerlessness,  the  hours  wore 
silently  on  until  he  was  aroused  from  a  half- 
slumber  by  a  commotion  at  the  entrance,  of 
the  tent  and  the  words  of  some  one  speaking 
with  the  guard : 

"  Wherefore  should  I  not  behold  him  and 
speak  with  him  ?  It  were  one  to  thee  and  to 
the  princes,  and  to-morrow  shall  make  it  as 
nothing." 

Adriel  recognized  the  voice  of  the  boy 
Abiathar,  and  bent  forward  intently  to  catch 
the  answer  of  the  soldier.  As  he  did  so  a 
vague,  half -formed  idea  flitted  across  his  mind, 
but  at  that  moment  the  guard  spoke. 

"  I  know  not,  boy,  that  there  is  aught  against 
thy  entering.  It  was  commanded  that  he 
should  not  go  forth,  and  not  that  no  man 
should  go  in  unto  him.  If  there  be  blame,  let 
it  rest  upon  my  head.  Enter  ! " 

The  flap  of  the  tent  was  thrown  quickly  to 
one  side  and  Abiathar  passed  in  with  the 
guard,  the  companion  of  him  of  the  harsh 
speech  who  had  before  spoken  with  AdrieL 


UNDER  OUARD.  209 

Abiathar,  as  he  entered,  stepped  forward  to 
where  the  prisoner  lay  and  kneeling  down 
kissed  him  and  said : 

"  How  fares  it  with  my  lord  for  the  night  ? 
Let  him  speak  unto  his  servant  if  there  be 
aught  that  seemeth  good  to  be  done  and, 
whatever  it  be,  that  shall  I  do." 

The  thought  that  had  before  flashed  across 
the  mind  of  Adriel  now  rapidly  took  form 
and  strength.  Half  rising  he  turned  to  where 
the  guards  stood  watching  them  and  ad- 
dressed himself  to  the  milder  of  the  two. 

"  Would  it  transgress  the  words  that  thou 
hast  from  thy  commander  shouldst  thou  and 
thy  companion  withdraw  without  the  tent  for 
a  short  space  while  I  speak  with  this  boy  of 
a  matter  which  is  near  my  heart  ?  Surely  I 
am  but  as  a  dead  man  and  there  are  many  of 
you  without." 

The  soldier  addressed  seemed  to  hesitate 
for  a  moment,  but  he  of  the  gruff  speech 
spoke  up. 

"  Surely  thou  askest  but  a  little  thing,  that 

14 


210  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAEOTH. 

we  leave  thee  whilst  thou  devisest  means  of 
escape." 

But  Ms  companion  answered  him  quickly : 
"Nay,  now  thou  art  wrong.  It  is  of  other 
matters  he  would  speak.  Knowest  thou  not 
that  the  boy  is  the  brother  of  Miriam,  the 
daughter  of  Ozias,  and  " — here  his  voice  sunk 
to  a  whisper  while  the  hot  blood  named  up  in 
Adriel's  face  as  he  caught  the  words  and 
the  meaning  glance. 

Still  the  other  was  not  satisfied. 

"  It  may  be  even  as  thou  sayest,"  he  re- 
plied, "  and  that  were  the  greater  reason  why 
the  boy  should  contrive  at  an  escape.  How 
knowest  thou  that  even  now  there  be  not 
swords  hidden  under  his  cloak  ? " 

Abiathar  sprang  up  indignant  and  threw 
off  his  mantle  upon  the  ground,  that  they 
might  see  he  wore  no  weapon ;  but  the  soldier 
who  had  first  let  him  enter  spoke  up  again : 

"  Nay,  boy,  I  trust  thee  that  thou  wilt  not 
abuse  what  we  have  granted,  and  I  know 
well  that  even  should  such  thoughts  find 


UNDER  GUARD.  211 

place  in  thy  heart  yet  the  power  that  hath 
pronounced  judgment  shall  not  fail  to  see 
execution."  Then  to  his  comrade,  "  Come  ! 
Let  us  leave  them  to  speak  together.  There 
will  be  ten  of  us  without,  and  it  shall  go  hard 
if  a  man  naked  and  unarmed  break  through 


us." 


So  saying,  he  took  the  other  by  the  arm, 
and  drew  him  half  reluctant  out  into  the 
night,  and  Adriel  and  Abiathar  remained 
alone  together,  with  the  dim  lamplight 
shining  upon  their  faces,  Adriel  half  reclin- 
ing and  Abiathar  seated  upright  upon  the 
ground. 

For  a  few  moments  neither  spoke,  while 
the  man  revolved  in  his  mind  the  purpose 
he  had  half  formed,  and  the  boy  gazed  upon 
his  knitted  brows  and  waited  patiently. 
There  was  present  to  Adriel's  mind  a  fear 
that,  by  making  the  confession  he  meditated, 
he  would  turn  Abiathar  from  him  filled  with 
resentment  for  the  slighting  of  Miriam's  beauty 
for  that  of  a  woman  of  a  doomed  race  of  idola- 


212  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

tors.  There  was,  too,  the  fear  that  by  com- 
mitting to  the  boy  the  duty  proposed,  he 
would  be  exposed  to  danger  hardly  less  than 
that  which  now  faced  himself,  a  realized  fact. 
But,  on  the  other  hand,  there  were  absolutely 
no  other  means  by  which  word  could  be  taken 
to  Elissa :  absolutely  no  other  chance  to  give 
her  at  least  an  opportunity  to  attempt  to  es- 
cape death,  or  a  worse  fate,  at  the  hands  of 
robbers  from  the  mountains.  This  last  con- 
viction could  not  but  be  all-powerful,  and, 
as  the  mental  struggle  ended,  Adriel  leaned 
forward  upon  his  elbow  and,  looking  Abia- 
thar  full  in  the  face,  said  : 

"Didst  thou  mean  that  which  thou  didst 
but  lately  speak,  that  I  could  trust  thee  for 
any  duty  which  I  should  put  thee  upon  ? " 

"  Thou  knowest,"  was  the  simple  answer. 

"Even  though  thy  life  were  put  to  the 
peril?" 

"  Even  so." 

"And  though  I  bid  thee  do  that  at  which 
thy  soul  revolted  ? " 


UNDER  GUARD.  213 

"What  meanest  thou,  Adriel?  Surely 
there  can  be  no  such  thing  thou  wishest 
done  ?  But  know,  that  even  were  it  so,  thou 
canst  trust  me  for  the  attempt." 

Adriel  bent  still  closer,  and,  grasping  the 
boy's  arm  tightly,  he  whispered,  "  Wilt  thou 
swear  now  by  the  God  of  our  fathers  that 
thou  wilt  perform  my  bidding  and  speak 
word  of  it  to  no  man  ?  " 

"  As  the  Lord  liveth  !     It  shall  be  done." 

"Then  listen  !  Thou  hast  wandered 
through  the  ruins  of  Jericho,  hast  thou 
not?" 

"  Yea ;  I  went  forth  with  the  men  the  day 
after  the  city  fell,  when  they  sought  for  hid- 
den treasures,  or  haply,  for  such  as  had  con- 
cealed themselves  that  they  might  escape  the 
God  of  Israel." 

Adriel  winced  at  the  reply,  but  recovered 
himself  in  a  moment  and  went  calmly  on. 

"  Then  surely  thou  knowest  the  ruin  which 

the  people  say  was  once  the  temple  of  Baal 

—that  surrounded  by  the  one  hundred  pillars 


214  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

and  reaching  heavenward  in  five  levels  ere 
our  flame  came  upon  it  ? " 

"  I  know  it,  Adriel." 

"  Then  this  shalt  thou  do  even  as  thou  hast 
just  sworn  to  me.  Go  to  the  tents  of  my 
house.  Take  unto  thee  a  bag  of  dates  and 
a  bottle  of  oil,  and  untether  the  fleetest  ass 
thou  canst  find.  Mount  him  and  ride  forth 
unto  the  ruins  of  the  city,  and  when  thou 
hast  gone  as  far  as  thou  canst,  fasten  thy  beasjb 
and  pass  on  swiftly  until  thou  readiest  that 
temple  of  which  I  spoke.  There,  beyond 
the  western  row  of  columns  thou  shalt  see  a 
small  hut  of  stone  built  after  the  fashion  of 
the  country,  and  thou  shalt  know  it  by  the 
great  pillar  that  hath  fallen  across  and  yet  not 
crushed  it  to  the  earth." 

Abiathar  drew  nearer,  scarce  breathing,  so 
intent  was  he  upon  the  mystery  that  lay  hid- 
den in  his  friend's  words,  and  waited  impa- 
tiently for  the  solution  of  what  had  disturbed 
his  mind  during  the  preceding  days.  Adriel 
paused  for  a  moment  as  though  to  take  breath 


UNDER  GUARD.  215 

perhaps  to  gain  courage,  and  then  went 
on. 

"  There  thou  shalt  stand  before  the  door  of 
the  hut  and  shalt  strike  it  with  thy  dagger 
and  shalt  say  :  '  Open  !  for  I  bring  thee  word 
from  Adriel ; '  and  then  perchance  thou 
mayest  hear  nothing,  so  thou  shalt  push  open 
the  door,  and,  if  thou  findest  no  one  within, 
thou  shalt  return,  for  thy  journey  is  naught. 
But  if  thou  hearest  any  word  in  answer  thou 
shalt  enter,  and  there  shalt  thou  find  a  woman." 

Abiathar  started  and  drew  back,  but 
Adriel  appeared  not  to  notice  the  gesture, 
and  went  on — "A  woman  beautiful  as  the 
mothers  of  our  race,  yea  as  Eve  herself." 

"Or  as  she  who  strove  to  ensnare  our 
father  Joseph  ! "  said  Abiathar  with  a  shade 
of  sternness  in  his  voice. 

"Then  thou  shalt  tell  her  that  I  am  as 
dead — even  all  things  as  they  have  happened. 
Give  into  her  hands  the  dates  and  the  oil. 
Give  her  thy  sword  and  bid  her  mount  thy 
beast  and  go  forth  over  the  mountains  unto 


216  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

those  who  shall  give  her  refuge.  Thus  shalt 
thou  do  as  thou  hast  sworn.  Go !  " 

Abiathar  remained  seated  upon  the  ground 
and  gazed  upon  the  man  who  had  finished 
speaking.  Several  times  the  boy  made  as 
though  he  would  answer,  before  he  found 
words  to  voice  his  thoughts. 

"Is  it  thus,  O  Adriel!  that  thou  hast  re- 
quited the  love  my  sister  bore  thee  ?  Who  is 
this  woman  to  whom  thou  sendest  me  ?  Sure- 
ly she  is  not  one  of  the  daughters  of  our  peo- 
ple— and  yet — the  other  thought !  Hast  thou 
too  taken  of  the  accursed  thing  together  with 
thy  father  ?  and  wilt  thou  that  I  also  should 
fall  into  the  guilt  ?  Oh,  Adriel !  "—and  Abi- 
athar threw  himself  upon  the  ground, — "  Oh, 
Adriel !  rather  bid  me  take  my  sword  and 
hurry  to  her  of  whom  thou  speakest  and  slay 
her,  that  perad venture  it  may  bring  thee 
favor  in  the  eyes  of  God." 

Adriel 's  eye  grew  fixed  and  cold  as  he  re- 
garded the  prostrate  figure  of  the  boy,  and 
his  voice  had  a  harsh,  metallic  ring. 


UNDER  GUARD.  217 

"Thou  hast  sworn,"  he  said ;  "do  thou  now 
even  so." 

"Who  is  she,  Adriel,  that  thou  should st 
perish  for  her  sake  !  "  cried  Abiathar  in  tones 
of  mingled  horror  and  dismay. 

Adriel  remained  silent  for  a  moment.  The 
boy  was  evidently  becoming  unnerved 
through  the  workings  of  superstitious  fear. 
He  would  surely  be  unable  to  carry  out  the 
project,  even  though  he  recognized  his  oath 
and  should  strive  to  comply  with  it.  Some 
other  stimulus  was  needed. 

"  Listen ! "  said  Adriel  in  a  deep,  low  voice 
from  which  the  harshness  of  a  moment  be- 
fore had  faded  entirely  away.  "Listen! 
Hast  thou  not  heard  that  those  who  dwell 
where  mortals  dwell  not,  do  sometimes  bend 
earthward  and  speak  with  and  love  us  who 
are  said  to  live  ?  I  remember,"  he  went  on 
dreamily,  "how  that  an  aged  man,  one  of 
those  who  had  toiled  in  Egypt  and  seen  the 
army  of  Horus  swallowed  up,  once  told  a 
story  in  the  desert  while  the  people  gathered 


218  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

around  him,  and  I,  a  child,  pressed  close  and 
listened  with  open  eyes  and  ears — how  that 
there  was  a  land  across  the  seas  from  Egypt 
and  the  mouths  of  the  Nile,  where  queens 
who  reigned  in  heaven  stooped  down  and 
loved  men." 

"  Oh  speak  not  thus  !  Adriel,  my  friend," 
cried  Abiathar,  interrupting  the  dreamy  flow 
of  speech.  "  Speak  not  thus  !  Thou  knowest 
these  stories  are  but  the  lies  of  the  heathen 
who  know  not  the  God  of  Israel,  and  there 
are  none  in  the  heavens  saving  Him  alone." 

"  Abiathar,  hear  me  !  Thou  speakest  as 
a  child  of  things  of  which  thou  knowest 
nothing.  She  to  whom  I  send  thee  now  is  a 
daughter  of  the  gods  of  Canaan." 

"And  yet  can  she  not  save  thy  life  ?  " 

"It  is  somewhat  as  thou  hast  said,"  an- 
swered Adriel.  "  Though  there  be  gods  other 
than  Jehovah,  yet  they  cannot  stand  in  battle 
against  Him,  therefore  I  die.  But  do  thou 
as  I  have  spoken,  and  perchance  thou  mayest 
gain  their  favor." 


UNDER  GUARD.  219 

Abiathar  rose  and  drew  himself  up  to  the 
full  height  of  his  slender  figure. 

"Adriel,"  he  said,  "hear  me  now.  I  go  to 
do  that  which  thou  hast  bid  me ;  but  mark 
me,  I  do  it  for  mine  oath's  sake  and  for  the 
love  I  bear  thee ;  not  that  I  may  gain  favor 
of  gods  of  whom  I  know  naught  and  whom 
Jehovah  hath  marked  out  to  overthrow. 
Know,  too,  that  I  believe  not  either  that  she 
to  whom  thou  sendest  me  is  of  heaven,  no, 
nor  that  thou  thyself  thinkest  it.  Thou 
lovest  her,  Adriel,  and  she  is  of  the  people  of 
the  land  and  hath  ensnared  thee  with  the 
witchery  of  her  eyes,  and  mayhap  darker 
charms.  But  thou  diest,  and  thou  shalt  not 
say  that  Abiathar  loved  thee  not.  I  go  to 
perform  the  words  of  my  oath,  though  Je- 
hovah smite  me  with  his  lightning.  Farewell." 

He  kneeled  down  and  kissed  him  who  lay 
upon  the  couch,  and  when  Adriel  raised  his 
eyes,  the  trembling  of  the  entrance  curtain 
alone,  told  that  another  had  been  within  and 
had  gone  forth. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 


THE    VALLEY    OF    ACHOR. 

OUGH,  ragged  hills  arose  on  every 
side,  jutting  with  crags  of  limestone, 
sprinkled  here  and  there  with  a  few 
dwarfed  acacias  and  fir  trees  which,  by  their 
conscious  but  vain  attempts  to  disguise  the 
barrenness  of  the  desolation,  seemed  only  to 
call  attention  with  a  sharper  force  to  a  for- 
bidding landscape.  Below  and  amid  this  nar- 
row but  grim  horizon  lay  a  level  space,  if  pos- 
sible even  more  barren  and  forbidding  than 
the  rocky  ramparts  that  shut  it  in.  Sand  arid 
limestone  struggled  for  the  mastery.  Not  a 
blade  of  grass,  not  a  vagrant  flower,  hardly  a 
starving  shrub  or  a  tree  dwarfed  and  twisted, 
relieved  the  sombre  monotone.  Only  bould- 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOB.  221 

ers,  that  Lad  rolled  down  from  the  neighbor- 
ing hills  and  crushed  their  way  into  the  val- 
ley, served  here  and  there  to  break  the  view, 
or  else,  having  been  themselves  broken  by 
the  fall,  lay  scattered  around  in  jagged  frag- 
ments. A  narrow,  rugged  pass,  winding  in- 
ward from  the  south,  gave  fair  warning  to 
the  wanderer  of  the  welcome  that  awaited 
him  who  ventured  to  penetrate  the  gloomy 
seclusion  beyond. 

Such  was  the  valley  of  Achor  as  the  dull 
rays  of  an  awakening  sun  tinted  the  topmost 
crags  upon  the  hills,  but,  warned  by  past 
experience,  seemed  not  even  to  essay  an  en- 
trance into  the  darksome  recesses  within, 
where  the  chill  vapors  of  the  night  might 
safely  linger  until  their  enemy  should  once 
more  sink  to  rest.  The  valley  lay  silent  and 
desolate. 

But  scarcely  had  the  morning  light  broken 
upon  the  surrounding  world,  when  the  shrill 
blast  of  a  trumpet  awoke  the  many  echoes 
that  had  slumbered  amid  the  rocks.  Men 


222  THE  SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 

seemed  to  be  invading  the  home  of  the  night 
mists,  for  human  forms  appeared  at  the  inner 
entrance  of  the  pass,  and  from  thence  making 
their  way  into  the  vale. 

First  they  seemed  to  come  singly,  then  in 
groups  of  two  and  three,  then  more ;  until  a 
steady  stream  poured  inward  from  the  dark 
defiles  and  spread  themselves  over  the  rock- 
strewn  level  and  the  surrounding  heights. 

No  loud  shouts,  no  laughter,  scarcely  a 
wandering  murmur  disturbed  the  silent  aus- 
terity of  the  scene;  only  the  trumpet  from 
time  to  time  rang  out  a  single  mournful  note 
which  sank  away  when  the  indignant  echoes 
refused  to  give  it  further  nourishment.  The 
grimness  of  the  scene  might  well  have  af- 
fected the  vast  multitude  which  now  over- 
flowed the  narrow  limits  of  the  place,  and 
have  encouraged  some  sombre  spirit  to  make 
its  way  into  their  hearts.  Their  faces  too 
were  grave  and  troubled,  with  brows  close 
knitted ;  but  their  eyes  sparkled  and  gleamed 
with  the  fires  of  suppressed  excitement. 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOR.  223 

One  alone  there  was  who  seemed  wholly 
indifferent  to  all  the  allied  powers  of  gloom 
and  silence  that  reigned  around — a  woman; 
beautiful,  and  yet  upon  whose  beauty  some 
withering  blight  had  set  its  seal,  and  left  the 
features  as  though  carved  from  marble,  and 
lifeless  even  as  the  very  stone  which  gave 
them  birth. 

She  stood  near  the  summit  of  one  of  the 
most  northern  of  the  surrounding  hills,  amid 
a  circle  of  her  kinsmen  who  glanced  toward 
her  from  time  to  time  and  whispered  to  each 
other.  Once  one  of  the  men  addressed  her 
in  a  low  tone : 

"  Miriam,  my  daughter ;  wilt  thou  not  now 
return  with  me  unto  the  tent  ?  Thou  know- 
est  how  that  thy  mother  joined  with  us  in 
praying  that  thou  shouldst  not  come  hither.'1 

With  face  still  expressionless,  she  answered 
in  a  strange  unmodulated  voice : 

"  Did  I  not  tell  thee,  I  must  mark  his  spirit, 
whether  it  flyeth  to  the  east  or  to  the  west, 
when  the  Angel  of  Death  shall  bend  to  him  ? 


224  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

How  else  shall  I  know  it  for  all  the  years 
that  are  to  come,  and  that  it  remain  faithful 
to  me  ? " 

Her  questioner  turned  away  with  a  look  of 
distress  and  whispered  to  one  who  stood  near 
him : 

"  Alas  !  an  evil  spirit  oppresseth  her  mind ; 
yet,  when  the  time  cometh,  do  thou  stand 
before  her  eyes,  while  I  draw  her  back  that 
she  see  not  the  end." 

And  now  a  commotion  seemed  to  arise 
among  those  who  had  entered  last  and  still 
remained  standing  near  the  entrance  of  the 
ravine,  while  the  crowd  upon  the  hills,  still 
silent,  yet  eager  with  interest,  rose  up  and 
gazed,  striving  to  see  what  was  taking  place. 

They  descried  a  body  of  armed  men  who 
had  but  just  defiled  from  the  pass  and  who 
now  endeavored  to  make  a  passage  through 
the  dense  crowd  that  surrounded  them. 
Slowly  they  forced  their  way,  pressing  back 
the  throng  with  the  long  shafts  of  their  spears 
held  crossways  in  their  hands.  Then  came  a 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOR.  225 

band  of  slaves  carrying  tents,  arms,  garments, 
and  utensils ;  and  four  who  bore  between 
them  upon  a  litter,  masses  of  gold  and  silver 
over  which  were  thrown  the  graceful  folds  of 
a  robe  of  varied  colors  woven  in  rich  designs 
with  thread  of  gold.  After  these,  herdsmen 
drove  forward  cattle,  sheep,  and  asses  that 
stared  with  terror  upon  the  human  walls 
through  which  they  passed.  All  held  their 
way  toward  a  level  space  in  the  centre  of  the 
valley,  where  the  vanguard  had  cleared  a 
wide  circle,  and  around  which  they  now 
stood  and  held  back  the  surging  mob  that 
pressed  upon  its  confines. 

And  then  there  debouched  from  the  pass  a 
band  of  warriors  still  larger  than  the  first, 
and  whose  braced  shields  and  drawn  swords 
showed  that  they  had  that  to  guard  which 
must  not  be  suffered  to  escape.  In  the 
midst  of  this  armed  band  might  be  descried 
men  and  women  and  striplings,  with  bowed 
heads,  and  faces  that  seemed  to  shun  the  gaze 
of  the  multitude.  Truly  the  gathering  fierce- 

15 


226  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

ness  in  the  eyes  of  that  vast  assembly  was  a 
thing  to  be  shunned  by  those  who  should  ex- 
cite and  might  have  reason  to  fear  its  ire ;  and 
yet  the  prisoners  who  marched  forward  thus 
suiTounded  by  sword  and  spear  and  the  fierce- 
eyed  crowd  beyond,  had  naught  to  fear  from 
any  outburst  of  pent-up  fury.  Condemned 
to  the  disgraceful  and  agonizing  death  pre- 
scribed for  Israelitish  offenders,  sword  or 
spear — aye,  or  the  fangs  and  talons  of  an 
excited  multitude — had  been  welcomed  with 
kisses  and  endearing  words. 

But  this  might  not  be.  The  crowd  surged 
and  glared.  Wrathful  and  threatening  mur- 
murs rose  up  from  its  bosom ;  but  it  pressed 
not  too  closely  upon  the  guards,  who  at  last 
reached  the  cleared  circle  which  had  been 
made  for  their  reception.  There,  in  the  cen- 
tre, stood  the  cattle  firmly  tethered  to  one 
another,  and  near  by,  the  household  goods 
piled  up  in  a  mound  together  with  dry 
branches  fit  to  throw  up  a  flame  that  they 
might  burn  the  more  fiercely. 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOR.  227 

As  the  captives  were  hurried  on  toward 
the  middle  of  the  ring,  where  a  space  lay 
open  for  them  among  the  beasts,  they  passed 
by  a  group  of  young  men  whom  they  saw 
not,  but  upon  whom  the  eyes  of  the  multi- 
tude gazed  equally  as  upon  the  victims. 

Some  forty  stood  together  in  the  group — 
twenty  muscular  figures,  clad  only  in  the 
short  tunic,  or  "  naked  "  in  the  phraseology  of 
their  people,  and  twenty  more  who  seemed 
to  be  attendants.  Some  of  these  last  bore 
raw  hides  filled  with  stones,  while  others  car- 
ried on  the  shoulder  or  in  both  hands  rough, 
jagged  rocks.  All  that  looked  upon  them 
knew  well  that  these  forty  were  the  execu- 
tioners chosen  from  the  people  to  do  the 
bidding  of  him  who  had  pronounced  sen- 
tence. 

It  seemed  as  though  movement  and  sound — 
life  itself — had  vanished  from  the  scene,  like 
some  grand  tableau  where  the  figures  stand 
silent  and  motionless  until  the  curtain  falls. 
There,  in  the  midst  of  a  great  circle,  was  a 


228  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

mingled  mass  of  human  beings  and  beasts ; 
the  former  with  eyes  open  to,  and  nerves 
firmly  braced  for  the  ordeal  which  awaited 
them ;  the  latter  unknowing  what  was  to  come, 
yet  restless  and  disturbed  by  their  unwonted 
surroundings.  A  few  paces  before  all  these 
stood  the  second  group — the  executioners — 
also  silent  and  motionless  save  where  one 
reached  out  to  receive  one  of  the  jagged  rocks 
from  his  attendant  and  poised  it  carefully  in 
both  hands  as  though  to  judge  of  its  weight 
and  effectiveness.  These  and  the  pile  of 
household  goods  were  all  that  occupied  the 
cleared  space,  while  around  it,  gathered  close 
together  and  extending  to  the  utmost  confines 
of  the  dark  valley,  even  covering  the  forbid- 
ding slopes  with  a  living  robe,  the  tribes  of 
Israel  waited  with  a  fierce  eagerness  for  the 
end,  for  the  vindication  of  their  God  and  for 
the  vengeance  of  their  wrongs. 

Conspicuous  among  those  who  stood  in  the 
inner  circle  waiting  for  the  accomplishment 
of  their  doom,  was  Adriel.  With  erect  figure 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOR.  239 

and  lightly  folded  arms,  his  eye  wandered 
carelessly  over  the  sea  of  faces  around  and 
above  him.  It  seemed  as  though  the  con- 
sciousness of  the  nearness  of  death  had  borne 
away  all  the  agonies  of  past  days,  and  he 
welcomed  the  approaching  footsteps  of  rest, 
albeit  the  gate  swung  hard  to  let  them  in. 
What  wonder  was  it  if  the  multitude  re- 
turned with  interest  and  even  regret  the  gaze 
of  one  who  but  yesterday  stood  among  them 
an  example  to  their  young  men,  a  model  of 
vigorous  and  heroic  youth,  and  who  must 
now  perish  for  the  crime  of  another.  But 
the  time  for  reflection  was  but  a  moment. 

A  tall,  commanding  figure  stepped  forward 
several  paces  into  the  circle  of  death  and, 
turning  to  the  ministers  of  justice,  raised  his 
spear  and  spoke  in  low  measured  accents : 

"  It  is  time  !  Do  ye  stand  forward  now  and 
do  judgment  upon  these  men  even  as  has  been 
commanded." 

It  was  the  voice  of  Joshua,  and,  as  it  died 
away,  the  executioners  took  stones  in  their 


230  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

hands  and  stepped  nearer,  while  all  Israel  bent 
forward  eager  for  the  grim  spectacle.  But 
cause  for  greater  excitement  was  to  come  ere 
death  closed  in  upon  the  scene  and  claimed 
his  prey. 

Scarcely  had  the  young  men  advanced  a 
single  stride ;  before  a  stone  had  gone  forth 
upon  its  ghastly  errand ;  aye,  before  an  arm 
had  been  raised :  another  figure  stepped  out 
into  the  circle  and  stood  alone  before  the  eyes 
of  the  whole  assembly ;  a  slight,  graceful  form 
clad  in  clinging  drapery  of  white  without  em- 
broidery or  ornament  and  girded  at  the  waist 
with  a  golden  zone ;  with  arms  bare  from 
the  shoulder  down  and  a  face  queenly  in 
its  dark,  calm  beauty — queenly,  though  un- 
crowned save  by  the  waving  cloud  of  hair. 

As  all  beheld  the  beautiful  apparition,  a 
stifled  hum  of  wonder  and  admiration  rose 
from  around. 

Unnoticed  had  Elissa  made  her  way 
through  the  outlying  multitude,  and  now, 
without  a  thought  of  the  effect  of  her  pres- 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACHOR.  231 

ence,  she  bent  her  resolute  steps  toward  the 
group  in  the  centre  of  the  sandy  and  rock- 
strewn  arena. 

But  this  was  not  to  be  permitted. 

As  the  first  shock  of  amazement  died  away, 
two  bearded  warriors  sprang  forth  from  the 
surrounding  circle  and,  seizing  the  girl,  held 
her  in  a  restraining  grasp.  With  a  violent 
effort  she  broke  from  them,  only  to  be  seized 
again  more  firmly  by  hands  difficult  to  throw 
off. 

Then  a  shadow  passed  before  her  eyes. 
The  hands  that  held  her  relaxed,  and  Adriel 
himself  stood  beside  her  brandishing  a  drip- 
ping sword. 

A  glance  told  what  had  occurred.  He  had 
recognized  her  struggling  with  the  soldiers 
and,  unnoticed  in  the  excitement  of  the 
moment,  had  left  the  group  of  the  condemned. 
A  buffet  had  stretched  one  of  her  captors 
upon  the  ground,  and  the  sword  snatched 
from  his  senseless  hand  had  found  its  way 
into  his  companion's  breast. 


232  THE  SPELL  OF  ASHTAROTH. 

And  now  uproar  and  confusion  filled  the 
air.  Shouts  of  rage  and  niad  anathemas  of 
vengeance  rang  through  the  narrow  valley, 
while  a  hundred  armed  men  sprang  for- 
ward to  where  Adriel  stood  with  one  arm 
thrown  around  the  form  of  his  companion 
and  with  the  bloody  sword  tightly  clenched 
in  his  grasp. 

There  was  a  hurried,  confused  rush.  The 
foremost  of  the  assailants  went  down,  the 
first  pierced  through  the  throat,  the  second 
stabbed  deep  in  the  breast,  the  third  cloven 
down  through  the  shoulder ;  and  then  the 
circle  of  iron  closed  in  on  all  sides. 

Only  for  an  instant — and  when  it  opened 
and  fell  back,  the  spear  had  done  its  office, 
kindly  flying  on  swift  wings  and  gently  bear- 
ing upon  its  point,  freedom — freedom  from 
human  sorrows,  from  human  crimes,  and  from 
human  vengeance ;  freedom  from  the  very 
bitterness  of  death;  freedom,  and  nuptial 
benediction ! 


THE   VALLEY  OF  ACEOB.  233 

The  cold,  pale  light  streamed  down  into 
the  valley  of  Achor,  while  the  horned  moon 
gleamed  over  the  eastern  hills  as  though  it 
sat  upon  the  brows  of  Ashtaroth  to  light  her 
to  the  spot  where  once  again  her  power  had 
proved  its  might  over  the  children  of  men. 
Kindlier  by  far  to  Achor  was  she  than  the 
god  of  day. 

A  lengthened  shadow  from  a  pointed  crag 
lay  upon  the  centre  of  the  valley,  as  though 
to  hide  from  heavenly  eyes  the  mound  of 
ashes  and  of  stones  heaped  so  grimly  together 
— all  that  remained  of  life,  of  wealth,  and  of 
punishment.  But  no  crag  opposed  its  harsh 
outline  to  bar  the  calm  effulgence  that  bathed 
the  spot  where  lay  the  lovers.  An  arm,  now 
rigid  and  powerless,  still  encircled  her  slen- 
der form  with  all  the  seeming  promise  of 
protection,  while  smiling  lips,  now  cold  and 
breathless,  seemed  almost  to  kiss  the  pale 
brow  resting  so  near.  They  smiled  into  each 
other's  faces  and  they  were  beautiful,  for 
the  dying  goddess  of  a  dying  race  loved 


234 


THE  SPELL   OF  ASHTAROTH. 


them.  Ashtaroth  had  shed  her  blessing  over 
their  sleep,  and  had  Jehovah  cursed  them 
unto  the  uttermost  ?  Who  is  he  that  dares  to 
say  it? 


RIEF  LIST  OF  BOOKS  OF  FICTION 
PUBLISHED  BY  CHARLES  SCRIBNER'S 
SONS,  743-745  BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK. 


Mary  Adams. 

AN  HONORABLE  SURRENDER.    (I6mo,  $1.00.) 

' '  The  story  belongs  distinctly  to  the  realistic  school  of  modern 
fiction.  The  situations  are  those  of  every  day.  The  characters  are 
not  in  the  least  eccentric  ;  the  dialogue  is  never  extravagant ;  the 
descriptive  and  analytical  passages  are  neither  obtrusive  nor  too 
prolix.  The  sum  of  all  these  negations  is  a  charming  book,  full  of 
a  genuine  human  interest." — The  Portland  Advertiser. 

William  Waldorf  Astor. 

VALENTINO:   An  Historical  Romance.     (I2mo,  $1.00.) 

"It  is  well  called  a  romance,  and  no  romance  indeed  could  be 
more  effective  than  the  extraordinary  extract  from  Italian  annals  of 
the  i6th  Century  which  it  preserves  in  such  vivid  colors.  The 
incidents  are  presented  with  dramatic  art.  The  movement  of  the 
story  never  drags." — The  New  York  Tribune. 

Arlo  Bates. 

A  WHEEL  OF  FIRE.    (I2mo,  $1.00.) 

"The  novel  deals  with  character  rather  than  incident,  and  is 
evolved  from  one  of  the  most  terrible  of  moral  problems  with  a 
subtlety  not  unlike  that  of  Hawthorne.  One  cannot  enumerate  all 
the  fine  points  of  artistic  skill  which  make  this  study  so  wonderful 
in  its  insight,  so  rare  in  its  combination  of  dramatic  power  and 
tenderness." — The  Critic. 

Hjalmar  H.  Boyesen. 

FALCONBERG.  Illustrated  (I2mo,  $I.50)-GUNNAR.  (Sq.  I2mo,  $1.25)— 
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2         SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST   OF    FICTION. 
H.  C.  Bunner. 

THE  STORY  OF  A  NEW  YORK  HOUSE.  Illustrated  by  A.  B.  Frost  (I2mo, 
$1.25)— THE  MIDGE.  (I2mo,  $1.00)— IN  PARTNERSHIP.  With  Brander 
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"  It  is  Mr.  Bunner's  delicacy  of  touch  and  appreciation  of  what 
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has  not  alone  mental  discernment,  but  the  artistic  appreciation. 
The  author  and  the  artist  both  supplement  one  another  in  this  ex- 
cellent '  Story  of  a  New  York  House.'  " — The  New  York  Times. 


Frances  Hodgson  Burnett. 

THAT  LASS  0'  LOWRIE'S.  Illustrated  (paper,  50  cents;  cloth,  $1.25)- 
HAWORTH'S.  Illustrated  (I2mo,  $I.25)-THROUGH  ONE  ADMINISTRA- 
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LITTLE  LORD  FAUNTLEROY.  Illustrated  by  R.  B.  Birch  (Sq.  8vo,  $2.00;— 
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they  reveal  themselves  in  their  actions.  Mrs.  Burnett's  characters 
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William  Allen  Butler. 

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of  Commerce. 


SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION.         3 

George  W.  Cable. 

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and  a  peculiar  people.  A  delicious  flavor  of  humor  penetrates  his 
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unrepresented  in  literature  ;  its  boldly  contrasted  characters  ;  its 
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vigorous  individuality  of  the  author,  took  hold  of  the  public  imagina- 
tion." —  The  Christian  Union. 

Erchmann-Cbatrian. 

FRIEND  FRITZ-THE  CONSCRIPT.  Illustrated—  WATERLOO.  Illustrated 
(Sequel  to  The  Conscript)—  MADAME  THERESE-THE  BLOCKADE  OF 
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trated—A MILLER'S  STORY  OF  THE  WAR.  Illustrated. 


Each,  ismo, 

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case  to  connect  the  great  events  which  they  so  graphically  treat."  — 
The  Philadelphia  Inquirer. 


4          SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION, 

Harold  Frederic. 

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Robert  Grant. 

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Edward  Everett  Hale. 

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Marion  Harland. 

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—HANDICAPPED  (I2mo,  $1.50). 

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Brooklyn  Daily  Times. 

Joel  Chandler  Harris. 

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broadly  outlined  characters,  and,  above  all,  its  touching  pathos, 
combine  to  make  it  a  masterpiece  of  its  kind." —  The  New  York  Sun. 

Augustus  Allen  Hayes. 

THE  JESUIT'S   RING.     A  Romance  of  Mount  Desert  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.; 
cloth,  $1.00). 

"  The  conception  of  the  story  is  excellent.  It  indicates  a  scholarly 
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of  selection  in  material." — The  Boston  Traveller. 


SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION.          5 

E.  T.  W.  Hoffmann. 

WEIRD  TALES.     With  Portrait  (I2mo,  2  vols.,  $3.00). 

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are  in  search  of  a  genuine  literary  sensation,  or  who  care  for  the 
marvelous  and  supernatural,  will  find  these  two  volumes  fascinating 
reading." — The  Christian  Union, 

Dr.  J.  G.  Holland. 

SEVEN   OAKS-THE   BAY   PATH— ARTHUR  BONN  I  CASTLE— MISS  GIL- 
BERT'S  CAREER-NICHOLAS  MINTURN. 

Each,  ismo,  $1.25 ;  the  set,  $6.25. 

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and  fiercer  passions,  but  delights  in  the  sweet  images  that  cluster 
around  the  domestic  hearth.  He  cherishes  a  strong  fellow-feeling 
with  the  pure  and  tranquil  life  in  the  modest  social  circles  of  the 
American  people,  and  has  thus  won  his  way  to  the  companionship 
of  many  friendly  hearts." — The  New  York  Tribune. 

Thomas  A.  Janvier. 

COLOR  STUDIES.    (I2mo,  $1.00.) 

"  Piquant,  novel,  and  ingenious,  these  little  stories,  with  all  their 
simplicity,  have  excited  a  wide  interest.  The  best  of  them,  '  Jaune 
D'Antimoine,'  is  a  little  wonder  in  its  dramatic  effect,  its  ingenious 
construction. " —  The  Critic. 

Virginia  W.  jolmson. 

THE  FAINALLS  OF  TIPTON.    (I2mo,  $1.25.) 

"  The  plot  is  good,  and  in  its  working-out  original.  Character- 
drawing  is  Miss  Johnson's  recognized  forte,  and  her  pen-sketches  of 
the  inventor,  the  checker-playing  clergyman  and  druggist,  the 
rising  young  doctor,  the  sentimental  painter,  the  rival  grocers,  etc. , 
are  quite  up  to  her  best  work." — The  Boston  Commonwealth, 

Lieut.  J.  D.  J.  Kelley. 

A  DESPERATE  CHANCE.     (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;   cloth,  $1.00.) 

"  This  novel  is  of  the  good  old-fashioned,  exciting  kind.  Though 
it  is  a  sea  story,  all  the  action  is  not  on  board  ship.  There  is  a 
well-developed  mystery,  and  while  it  is  in  no  sense  sensational, 
readers  may  be  assured  that  they  will  not  be  tired  out  by  analytical 
descriptions,  nor  will  they  find  a  dull  page  from  first  to  last." — The 
Brooklyn  Union. 

The  King's  Men : 

A  TALE  OF  TO-MORROW.     By  Robert  Grant,  John  Boyle  O'Reilly,  J.  3., 
of  Dale,  and  John  T.  Wheelwright.    (I2mo,  $1.25.) 


6         SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION. 

Andrew  Lang. 

THE  MARK  OF  CAIN.     (I2mo,  paper,  25  cts.;   cloth,  75  cts.) 

"  No  one  can  deny  that  it  is  crammed  as  full  of  incident  as  it  will 
hold,  or  that  the  elaborate  plot  is  worked  out  with  most  ingenious 
perspicuity." — The  Saturday  Review. 

George  P.  Latbrop. 

NEWPORT.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $I.25)-AN  ECHO  OF  PASSION. 
(I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00)— IN  THE  DISTANCE.  (I2mo,  paper, 
50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00.) 

"  It  is  one  of  the  charms  of  Mr.  Lathrop's  style  that  it  appeals  to 
the  imagination  of  the  reader  by  a  delicate  suggestiveness,  which 
lies  like  a  fine  atmosphere  over  the  landscape  of  the  story.  His 
novels  have  the  refinement  of  motive  which  characterize  the  analytical 
school,  but  his  manner  is  far  more  direct  and  dramatic." — The 
Christian  Union, 

Brander  Matthews. 

THE  SECRET  OF  THE  SEA,  and  Other  Stones.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cfs.; 
cloth,  $I.OO)-THE  LAST  MEETING.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00)— 
IN  PARTNERSHIP.  With  H.  C.  Banner  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00). 

"  Mr.  Matthews  is  a  man  of  wide  observation  and  of  much 
familiarity  with  the  world.  His  literary  style  is  bright  and  crisp, 
with  a  peculiar  sparkle  about  it — wit  and  humor  judiciously  mingled — 
which  renders  his  pages  more  than  ordinarily  interesting." — T)ie 
Rochester  Post-Express. 

Donald  G.  Mitchell. 

DR.  JOHNS.     (I2mo,  $1.25.) 

"  The  author  finds  scenes  and  characters  enough  in  a  single  parish 
to  furnish  the  staple  of  the  book.  There  are  capital  descriptions  of 
parish  life,  home  scenes,  love-making,  hard  cases,  and  saintly  men 
and  women,  their  ways,  habits  ;  in  short,  all  the  warp  and  woof 
going  to  make  the  texture  of  this  isolated  rural  life.  There  are  few 
writers  in  this  country  who  have  ever  surpassed  the  author  in  the 
description  of  rural  New  England  life." — The  San  Francisco 
Bulletin. 

Fit  {-James  O'Brien. 

THE  DIAMOND  LENS,  with  Other  Stories.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth, 
$1.00.) 

"  These  stories  are  the  only  things  in  literature  to  be  compared 
with  Poe's  works,  and  if  they  do  not  equal  it  in  workmanship,  they 
certainly  do  not  yield  to  it  in  originality." —  The  Philadelphia  Record. 


SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION.          7 

Thomas  Nelson  Page. 

IN  OLE  VIRGINIA— MARSE  CHAN,  and  Other  Stones.     (I2mo,  $1.25.) 

"  There  are  qualities  in  these  stories  of  Mr.  Page  which  we  do 
not  find  in  those  of  any  other  Southern  author,  or  not  to  the  same 
extent  and  in  the  same  force — and  they  are  the  qualities  which  are 
too  often  wanting  in  modern  literature." — N.  Y.  Mail  and  Express. 

Howard  Pyle. 

WITHIN  THE  CAPES.    (I2mo,  SI. 00.) 

"  Simplicity,  earnestness,  and  directness  are  the  appropriate 
qualities  of  a  tale  supposed  to  be  reeled  by  an  old  sea  captain  as  he 
sits  by  the  chimney  corner,  stranded  in  a  happy  old  age.  The  yarn 
proves  to  possess  all  the  wonderful  elements  of  romance  and  adven- 
ture."—  The  Boston  Journal. 

Saxe  Holm's  Stories. 

FIRST  SERIES.-Draxy  Miller's  Dowry— The  Elder's  Wife-Whose  Wife 
Was  She? — The  One-Legged  Dancers— How  One  Woman  Kept  Her  Husband 
— Esther  Wynn's  Love  Letters. 

SECOND  SERIES.— Four-Leaved  Clover— Farmer  Bassett's  Romance— My 
Tourmalene — Joe  Hale's  Red  Stocking— Susan  Lawton's  Escape. 

Each,  iznto,  paper,  30  cts.;  cloth,  §1.00. 

"Saxe  Holm's'  characters  are  strongly  drawn,  and  she  goes  right  to 
the  heart  of  human  experience  as  one  who  knows  the  way.  We 
heartily  commend  them  as  vigorous,  wholesome,  and  sufficiently 
exciting  stories." — The  Advance. 

Julia  Scbqyer. 

TIGER  LILY,  and  Other  Stories.    (I2mo,  $1.00.) 

"  Each  of  the  fine  short  stories  in  the  present  collection  is  original 
in  subject  and  unique  in  treatment,  and  the  story  of  '  Tiger  Lily  '  is, 
in  its  way,  short  as  it  is,  a  masterpiece." — The  Critic, 

Robert  Louis  Stevenson. 

STRANGE  CASE  OF  DR.  JEKYLL  AND  MR:  HYDE.  (I2mo,  paper,  25 
cts.;  cloth,  $1. 00)— KIDNAPPED.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00, 
illustrated,  $I.25)-THE  MERRY  MEN,  and  Other  Tales  and  Fables.  (I2mo, 
paper,  35  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00)— NEW  ARABIAN  NIGHTS.  (I2mo,  paper, 
30  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00)— THE  DYNAMITER.  With  Mrs.  Stevenson  (I2mo, 
paper,  30  cts.;  cloth,  $1.00). 

"If  there  is  any  writer  of  the  time  about  whom  the  critics  of 
England  and  America  substantially  agree  it  is  Mr.  Robert  Louis 
Stevenson.  There  is  something  in  his  work,  precisely  what,  it  is 
not  easy  to  say,  which  engages  and  fixes  the  attention  from  the  first 
page  to  the  last,  which  shapes  itself  before  the  mind's  eye  while 
reading,  and  which  refuses  to  be  forgotten  long  after  the  book  which 
revealed  it  has  been  closed  and  put  away." — The  New  York  Mail 
and  Express, 


8         SCRIBNER'S    BRIEF    LIST    OF    FICTION. 

y.  5.,  of  Dale. 

GUERNDALE.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  els.;  cloth,  $1.25)— THE  CRIME  OF  HENRY 
VANE.  (I2mo,  *I.OO)-THE  SENTIMENTAL  CALENDAR.  Head  Pieces 
by  F.  G.  Atiwood  (I2mo,  $2.00). 

"The  author  of  that  very  bright,  witty,  and  audacious  story, 
'Guerndale,'  has  written  another,  'The  Crime  of  Henry  Vane,' 
which  is  just  as  witty  in  many  of  its  chapters  and  has  more  of  a 
'purpose'  in  its  whole  structure.  No  young  novelist  in  this  country 
seems  better  equipped  than  Mr.  Stimson  is.  He  shows  unusual  gifts 
in  this  and  in  his  other  stories." — The  Philadelphia  Bulletin. 

Frank  R.  Stockton. 

RUDDER  GRANGE.  (I2mo,  paper,  60  cts.;  cloth,  $1.25;  illustrated  by  A.  B. 
Frost,  Sq.  I2mo,  $2.00)— THE  LATE  MRS.  NULL.  (I2mo,  $1.25)— THE 
LADY,  OR  THE  TIGER?  and  Other  Stories.  (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;  cloth, 
$1.25)— THE  CHRISTMAS  WRECK,  and  Other  Stories.  (I2mo,  paper,  50 
cts.;  cloth,  $1.25)— THE  BEE-MAN  OF  ORN,  and  Other  Fanciful  Tales. 
(I2mo,  cloth,  $1.25.) 

"Of  Mr.  Stockton's  stories  what  is  there  to  say,  but  that  they 
are  an  unmixed  blessing  and  delight  ?  He  is  surely  one  of  the  most 
inventive  of  talents,  discovering  not  only  a  new  kind  in  humor  and 
fancy,  but  accumul?ting  an  inexhaustible  wealth  of  details  in  each 
fresh  achievement,  the  least  of  which  would  be  riches  from  another 
hand. " — W.  D.  HOWELLS,  in  Harper's  Magazine. 

Stories  by  American  Authors. 

Cloth,  i6mo,  joe.  each;  set,  10  -vols.,  $5.00;  cabinet  ed.,  in  sets  only,  §7.50. 
Circulars  describing  the  senes  sent  on  application  to  the  publishers. 

"  The  public  ought  to  appreciate  the  value  of  this  series,  which 
is  preserving  permanently  in  American  literature  short  stories  that 
have  contributed  to  its  advancement.  American  writers  lead  all 
others  in  this  form  of  fiction,  and  their  best  work  appears  in  these 
volumes." — The  Boston  Globe. 

T.  R.  Sullivan. 

ROSES  OF  SHADOW.    (I2mo,  $1.00.) 

"  The  characters  of  the  story  have  a  remarkable  vividness  and 
individuality — every  one  of  them — which  mark  at  once  Mr.  Sullivan's 
strongest  promise  as  a  novelist.  All  of  his  men  are  excellent.  John 
Musgrove,  the  grimly  pathetic  old  beau,  sometimes  reminds  us  of  a 
xouch  of  Thackeray." — The  Cincinnati  Times-Star. 

John  T.  Wheelwright. 

A  CHILD  OF  THE  CENTURY.    (I2mo,  paper,  50  cts.;   cloth,  $1.00.) 

"  This  is  one  of  the  most  thoroughly  enjoyable  novels  that  has 
been  published  for  a  long  time.  It  is  a  story  of  to-day,  of  American 
life  and  character ;  a  typical  story  of  political  and  social  life,  free 
from  cynicism  or  morbid  realism,  and  brimming  over  with  good- 
natured  fun,  which  is  never  vulgar." —  The  Christian  at  Work. 


J  I 


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